Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2014 20:38:48 GMT -6
The following events happen OFF-CAMERA.
It was the morning after a VICIOUS evening, I could barely see straight. My appointment with Danny Stevenson was soon and I hadn't bothered getting ready yet-- it's not that I planned on being late but time just worked against me! It didn't take me long to get cleaned up though, after a fresh shave, a shower and putting on a pretty nifty suit and tie, I knew I looked good because I felt good. Arrangements were made for JR Ryan to meet me down at the building, Daniel Bane would meet with Danny Stevenson at a later date as he wanted to touch base with me to evaluate what he had in me as far as look and charisma. Luckily, I didn't need too much of an act to make some money, all I needed to be was my sometimes intolerable self and I'd have people hating me out of the building enough to attempt to follow me to my hotel and try to kill me.
RRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIINNNNGGGGGGGGGG... RRRRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGG
This time I knew EXACTLY where my iPhone was-- in my hand, of course! Tapping the screen, I put the phone to my ear:
"Yeah?"
"Rome-- dude, where the FUCK are you!?"
"Huh?"
"Our appointment with Stevenson WAS AN HOUR AGO!"
Oh, nice.
"Really? I thought it was at.."
I glanced toward the clock hanging on the wall and THEN noticed what time it was..
"IT'S FUCKING 3 O'CLOCK?! I'VE BEEN SLEEPING THIS WHOLE TIME?! JESUS CHRIST!"
To say I was 'working' JR would be accurate. Although I did find it extremely impressive that I slept as long as I did, it wasn't really a surprise after the crazy amount of alcohol I consumed, mixed with the amount of pills I ingested. I knew that I'd have to slow down once active on the roster, so I needed to party now and get it all out of my system. JR was continuing to shout in my ear about something that should of happened... or something. Anyway, putting the phone down onto the mattress as I begun to slip my shoes on-- his voice definitely wasn't helping with the throbbing going on in my head. It felt as if Tommy Lee had a drum solo going on and he was drumming to death in there. Once both shoes were slipped on and I was dressed, I picked my phone up and cleared my throat...
"I'll be there in a few minutes, I'm leaving now."
"Rome.. you've gotta get on it man! I've been making excuse after excuse for you, I've told Danny that the rental car had a flat!"
"Rental car?! Who the fuck has a rental car?! Like I'd drive myself around-- they don't RENT BMW's, JR. God forbid I'd be stuck in some shitty little Honda or Mazda, I wouldn't know if I should end the misery and slam myself into the wall WITH the car or just OD."
"Yeah.. Yeah, it was an excuse. Hurry up and get over here so we can get this going!"
"Sure things babycakes. Be there soon."
CLICK!
It didn't take me long to find myself in the back of a limo and off to the MSW Business Facility. I found the hardest part of the journey was NOT popping a bottle of champagne and taking a few shots of Patron. The driver knew how important it was that I get there on time so I told him to step on it-- and he did. Arriving at the facility, I let myself out and found my way to the doors-- this was nothing to look at. I knew MSW was an independent promotion but I'd think with Drew Stevenson as a financial backer that he'd have better options than this-- the place looked like a fucking rat-hole. I figured since I was already there and had the arrangement to act on, I couldn't risk another black mark next to my name and needed to make good, even if I got fired at a later date for something that'd absolutely be NONE of my fault.
"Mister Gold?"
A sweet voice rang out from the right-- the receptionist. A pretty little dark haired beauty with STUNNING blue eyes had my undivided attention...
"Yes, sure is."
"Your business partner, Mister Ryan and Mister Stevenson are waiting on you. Would you like me to show you to the conference room?"
Hell... Yes. Her face was as perfect as they come, but I needed to see her strut and walk before she'd get a final judgment from me. With a nod and a totally fake smile, I offered my hand to help her up as she took the lead... and I was glad I had agreed to show me where the conference room was. She had a nice, tight little body that made me want to cry-- I was DEFINITELY getting her out with me by the time I left this place. We had reached the door and with a slight knock before stepping in, I saw JR and Danny chatting away-- that was one of his selling points. JR had the ability to talk a circle around people but do it in very entertaining fashion where it didn't even seem like the PERFECT stalling technique. I stepped in and fired off a wink in the brunette's direction all as I headed towards Danny--
"My apologies Mister Stevenson, I understand that JR here explained the situation?"
As I offered my hand out to the bigger Southern man, he nodded-- I could tell he was a gentle soul... but probably totally easy to fool.
"Sure did-- everything OK with that?"
"Indeed it is sir, darn lim-"
Nudged as he 'fixed' his posture, JR reminded me of the lie he had told as I quickly caught myself...
".. lime juice... that's the last time I use that in my coffee! Ha-ha..."
... man, I need to stop lying on the spot. That was a terrible-- FUCKING AWFUL excuse!
"I wasn't paying attention to the road-- my fault totally and didn't even see the pothole there. Blew out the right side tire, I don't know how Enterprise didn't have a donut stored in the trunk... insurance took an awful long time to get out there, but nonetheless-- I do apologize for my tardiness and can assure you it won't happen again."
Danny shook my hand, I knew he'd buy it. Through all the skills I've picked up from my parents and peers... the one that's bailed me out of more trouble has been my ability to also lie and talk circles around people. It wasn't the right thing to do, but fuck it-- if it worked, then who cares, right?
"Understandable, Roman. Now... There's a few thangs--"
I snorted-- not powder, but from laughter... I cut Danny off, it was a broad move, I know...
"... there a problem Mist-ah Gold?"
"That damn lime juice..."
WHAT FUCKING LIME JUICE?! HOW DID I EVEN COME TO THAT CONCLUSION!?
"There's a cup-a water if ya need one-- I can get Rochelle to bring'um in here if you need?"
"Rochelle-- that the receptionist?"
"Sure is."
"I'll definitely take a cup if you don't mind. It's like it's stuck in the back of my throat, awful.. gahhh."
Well, if I didn't get the job here at least I knew that in town was a HOT brunette named Rochelle that I'd be able to take back to the hotel and probably overcome in terms of her being Mount Everest and me being a climber... Or something of that nature. With Danny standing and heading towards the door, he opened it and stepped out for a brief second all as JR turned his head to see where exactly he had gone.. and then unloaded on me with girl-like punches across the shoulder and neck-- I blocked the punches as best as I could but I never took boxing lessons! We begun to argue though-- of course it sounded utterly ridiculous as we had to resort to whispers.
"Roman you FUCKING idiot! Late?! Then you're laughing at his accent!? AND HITTING ON HIS RECEPTIONIST?!"
"Well... FUCK!"
Not the best comeback, but it was better than nothing.
"Get your shit together man, we're gonna blow this if you don't!"
"I hope she blows me..."
"ROMAN!"
"FINE!"
He was like a fucking GNAT. He wouldn't leave me to my thoughts, he was a habitual buzz-killer. I don't know why I still associated with him... actually no, that's a lie. I loved JR like a brother but that didn't change the fact that he had the ability to be a pain in my ass when he wanted us both to excel at something. Danny walked back into the room though, luckily he missed our little exchange and handed me a styrofoam cup full of semi-chilled water. It was like I was a fucking plantation worker-- a ratty facility? Water NOT in a glass and not even cold?! Prisoners got better treatment than this! But I chugged along with a fake smile and a nod, I drank the water... it tasted like dirt, but I already insulted the man's accent, I needed to take JR's advice and cool it.
"Now JR-- I knew your daddy... not on a personal level, but we've shared the same roof time and time again in terms of promotions we've worked for. I have complete faith in ya ability to manage... which brings me to you Roman..."
Oh, a lecture? Fuck this...
"I've got a few eMails kid, I've heard word 'round the block that you're bad apple, that you no-show events and tend to have a party problem..."
.. oh, this was going FANTASTIC.
"But I'm willin' on givin' ya the benefit of the doubt, son. We've all been in our 20's, some of us have made some questionable decisions but I don't see why that stigma should hang above ya head like a black cloud. I think instead-- kid.. you've got the look. Slicked back hair, baby blue eyes-- the ladies will love you. But what about your heart? Ate you in it for the right reasons or am I settin' myself up to fail here? Be honest with me, it's the best policy available."
Maybe not! Maybe Danny actually wanted to hear my side of the story which is going to be 100% bullshit of course.
"Well sir... First off, I'd like to thank you for giving me the ability to meet with you here. Missouri State Wrestling is a fine establishment, it's been making noise as one of the better-- and stronger promotions around these days. I can personally guarantee you though, everything you've heard about me? It's fabricated to an extent. I'll be honest with you Mister Stevenson--"
"Danny.. Call me Danny, kid."
"OK, Danny-- I'll lay my cards on the table. There was a show in Minnesota that I missed, but it wasn't because I was passed out drunk. Instead, I had a problem with the booking, the promoter was a sleazy greaseball that tried to screw me out of what I've earned. The original call was for me to go over and earn contendership for the promotions big title but at the last possible second he decided to flip the script. I was outraged-- I had put a lot of work into that and for me him just toss that aside?! I'll admit here, maybe my course of action was wrong-- maybe I allowed my temper to get the best of me but I'm not a passive man, Danny. I don't allow people to step on my fingers as I'm hanging off the cliff. I put my foot down, and by doing that he decided that he'd put out bad press about my name and it hurts, it hurts me bad. A lot of the nonsense that I've dealt with is his fault, the guy is a sleazeball to the biggest degree."
LIE, LIE, LIE.
"I unda-stand, Roman. We've all dealt with people like that and I'm willin' on takin' yer word for it. Another thing that's come up though, the partying..."
... fuck.
"I'll admit Danny, I am a man who enjoys the finer things in life. Whether it be beautiful women, fast cars or even tasty booze..."
"Drug problems, son... I've heard that you're an addict?"
Either JR had told Danny a bit TOO MUCH about me, or there was a snitch within our circle of friends. Or maybe it was Misty?! That whore...
"No... God no. The only prescriptions I have are from my doctor, Danny. I don't meddle with that-- I've seen what it does to the mind and body."
"Roman-- I'll say this in the most simple way possible... If you've got a problem, fix it. I'm not Doctor Phil from that TV show; if you've got an issue with pills or powders, make sure you get it unda-control before it shows up on a test ans we've gotta act on it. We can deal with drinkin' I'm a bit of a drinker, but it's the otha- stuff that we're worried about. Like I said, you've got the look kid- you've got a good voice, you're handsome as they come and I have no doubt you can go in the ring but if you've got those demons make sure you exorcise them before you're here full-time."
"Understandable."
"Other than that... I've got the official contract here--"
"Before I sign that, I have a question-- if you don't mind of course..."
"Oh, absolutely not son! What's on yer mind?"
I could see JR begin to bite his nails, a common thing with him when he was feeling nervous about something. I found it funny because he'd chew down and almost bleed himself in the process and would always complain about someone 'screwing with him' due to him forgetting about it all.
"I don't mean to impose in anyway, I've got nothing but the utmost respect for what you've managed to build here with your associates, but I've had the figurative string hung over my head before. Is there a role for me here? Do I have any chance to compete with the Smart's, Manning's, Von Licht's? As you said Danny, honesty is always the best policy... and I'd like to see where you stand in terms of reachable goals for myself. I'm not asking for an immediate push neither, I do understand how the business works where you earn what you keep and I'm fine with that. But... Too many times I've been promised the farm and given manure, if you know what I mean..."
Yeah, I just fucking went there. If we were on Twitter, I'd had ended with a #BOSSMODE