The beady eyes of the weasel like man look out at the carefully selected audience of journalists, potential sponsors and jobbing actors. Internally he smiled; the calculated charade of this press conference had come together. He glanced at his watch. It was time to begin. He coughs, and the room slowly falls to silence. "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jon Stevens and for those who don't already know I am the managing director of the SWN which has increased revenue, quality and public interest in small independent wrestling federations, as well as providing high quality training for aspiring wrestlers across several sites in two continents." He pauses momentarily, as to indulge his ego before continuing. "But I'm not here to talk about me past successes. I'm here to talk to you all about the man who is the future of this business. The first man signed to my talent agency, an All American Athlete in three different sports and WZCW's newest signing..."
He stops speaking as soon as the music starts and waits for the young man he was about to introduce to arrogantly stride to the podium. "What the hell are you doing? You couldn't wait thirty seconds and follow the damn script?" He whispers, being careful to cover the microphone.
"Change of plans. Move your hand and sit down, Tuck." The reply is low enough to go unheard by the audience, but Stevens instantly complies.
"Well, it seems I've overstayed my welcome." Stevens chuckles with the audience, as if he'd made a joke rather than stating a fact. "Ladies and gentlemen, the man of the hour: Connor Reese." He immediately vacates the podium and takes a seat, hoping in vain that Connor would stick to the script for his address to the audience.
"Sorry Johnny, but I've always preferred to make my own introductions. For anybody feeling sceptical sitting in this room, everything he said about me was true. My contract is substantial, my athleticism is peerless and my future... well I am the future." He smiles, sincerity and arrogance in equal measure radiate from the man. Jon's head sinks into his hands, hoping against hope that his client hadn't ruined things for the both of them. "I am more than what you've heard from Mr Stevens. I am more than just a wrestler. I am the wrestler who will end the stagnation of WZCW and this industry by stoking the fires of revolution." Stevens' head peaks out. This wasn't planned, but it was good.
He bangs the podium and raises his voice. "For too long have the likes of Austin Reynolds been allowed to exist; deluding themselves into believing that the company owes them gold despite doing nothing to earn it. Showtime, our current World champion is liable to throw his toys out of the pram the moment things didn't go his way. But worst of the crimes committed by management was letting Ty Burna to get away with whatever he liked during his record setting reign. While Miles and Bateman were submitting to him, allowing him to abduct innocent victims for no other reason than to screw with his opponent that month, and praying that one day the lord almighty would give them that set of testicles they were so clearly born without; Ty was able to buy damn company and is in the process sending it to hell in a hand basket! The sun must set on the days of self centred talents manipulating their way to undeserved positions if the business is to adapt and survive and I am the man who will force it to do so. I am everything you have heard and more. I am Connor Reese, and all those who are a part of this cancer infecting WZCW: you have been warned!" Reese discretely nods, cueing the planted audience members to begin their applause, which rapidly spread to the non-paid off spectators. Connor's initial gambit had succeeded, but only time would tell if it paid off. Slowly, the applause dies down, though a quiet chatter prevails. "I open the floor to any questions..."
Ten minutes, and over a dozen predictable questions and well rehearsed answers the two men thank the audience for their time before heading through a set of double doors. The second they shut, Stevens turns on his client. "What the hell was that? Who told you to deviate from the script?"
Before answering, Reese looks over Stevens. He smirks and pushes the smaller man up against a wall. "You know Jon; if I wanted to speak to the boss I'd do it directly rather than through you." He reaches over and yanks off the Bluetooth earpiece, putting it into his own ear. Feeling a phone slide into his pocket he releases the weasel. "You're done here, Tuck. Leave, now!" Reese turns his head and watches the scared little man scamper off. Out of the corner of his eye he sees the double doors are open a crack. Perfect, a report of this 'violence' would just lead to more publicity. Smirking he talks to the man he knows to be on the other side. "You had some questions." There was no inquisition in his voice. There was no point in pretending there was a misunderstanding.
"I did. You will answer them quickly and without attitude, if not I think a trip to The Circus is in order." The voice he expected replies into his ear
"Yes, of course sir." Connor quickly replies, with no trace of his previous swagger.
"What were you thinking?"
"With all due respect sir, the speech that had been prepared for me would not have generated the same level of publicity that mine did."
Reese hears the sound of laughter in his ear. "I apologise Connor, I find it amusing that you thought this side show was to generate publicity for your WZCW debut. This was a test, and you failed. Dismally."
"A test? What?"
"Don't repeat what I just said in the form of a question, Connor. If you have no original thoughts to contribute, then remain silent. Yes Connor this was a test. I wanted to confirm my suspicions that you would go off the rails the moment there was nobody with a spine to keep you on them. As usual, I was right. But I shall deal with this issue at a more appropriate location. Let us talk about your upcoming debut."
"Fine, who has your contact lined up for me?" He pauses. "Sir." He adds almost in spite of himself
"You are in a triple threat match with two other recent hirings: Logan Burnside and Isabel Stone. If you're feeling somehow 'above' this match, I suggest you inspect your bank account and reassess that opinion."
Connor was scowling at this, but voiced nothing. His debut was to be a triple threat match against two rookies? What good was having a 'contact' in management if that was what he was expected to work with. The six figure downside was fair compensation for a match scarcely worth his talent. "What kind of information for me?" He might not be happy with his opponents, but only a fools entered a match without a plan.
"Very little on Burnside. My contact in talent relations passed on a few notes regarding him, but that's it. He's described as being a beast, which should tell you all you need about him."
"No brains, plenty of brawn." The silence in his ear was the confirmation he needed. "How big is he?"
"Roughly 6 and a half feet, between 275 and 300 pounds."
"So, He's smaller than Ben. He should be no threat on his own, at least. What about Miss Stone, have you got anything on her?"
"The notes from talent relations provided nothing of use. However, a graduate of an SWN affiliated wrestling school crossed paths with her in FCW. His exact words on her were 'she was a pain to most of the roster. barely anyone would associate with her unless they wanted drama in their lives and knives firmly embedded in their backs.'"
"Interesting. Left unattended she's the threat. If Burnside acts anything like Ben he'll focus on one opponent, which is probably going to be me as I would be thought of as the bigger threat. In a one on one match that would be tolerable. He is smaller and less powerful than Ben and thus easier to deal with. However, a smart bitch like her would try to take advantage of our fight to suit her own ends. This unpredictability, and the fact that she's likely to stay out of harm's way makes her more dangerous than the cretin."
"I am in agreement with your analysis. What is your plan of attack?"
"Neutralise the threat of Isabel Stone as quickly as possible. Hitting her with a Cataclysm or subjecting her to Natural Selection should put paid to any plans she has and buy time to incapacitate Burnside."
"A well reasoned strategy. However, I have doubts that you will be able to implement them. Once you return to the compound you are to report to The Circus to practice this strategy with Benjamin Hoss and..."
He cut off the call before the sentence was complete, rubbing his elbow for a moment before forcing himself to stop. He already knew who his second 'training partner' would be. Not hearing the name would make for easier sleep on the flight back.
He would be ready for anything Stone and Burnside could throw at him. The Ape and The German would see to that. He had spent more than enough time in 'The Circus' not to recognise its brutal effectiveness. He learned fast there. There was no other way to survive.
