Boss Duties
Posted by Butch Parker
on May 11, 2023, 10:25 am
Butch is in his home office when the scene opens up. He hadn’t been in the newly-relocated HWA HQ as much as the other staff. He hadn’t even been in the training facilities as much as he would’ve liked. Since his health scare after Havoc, Wisdom had been watching him like a hawk and she had eyes everywhere making sure he wasn’t doing anything too strenuous. It got to the point he felt like everyone was checking up on him, taking awkward glances through his window like he was some sort of frail old man that had fallen over and needed round the clock supervision. But at home, he felt more relaxed. Even with the plethora of things he had to look at, he still felt air of calmness when he was at home. Butch slumps back in his leather chair, puffing his cheeks out and absentmindedly taps the end of a pen on his desk. It wasn’t that he didn’t have a lot to do, there was a lot to be done. But his mind was swimming with what to prioritise first. He leans over and looks at a hand-written list on a piece of ruled paper in front of him. Some of the tasks have been ticked off, some are still outstanding. Butch recalled the conversation he’d had with Michelle after the incident that took place at the Training Academy which took him away from the lunch with Hans and Red Dragon. Several days ago… Butch arrives at the Academy. He speaks with Sean briefly about what had happened. (Butch): So do you know what happened? Did you see it? (Sean): I’m only going on what Michelle and Sarah told me, Butch. Supposedly there was some sort of coming together which that new girl Alexis instigated. Things apparently got pretty feisty and she left. Sean shrugs. (Sean): That’s all I got but Michelle was caught off guard and has a nasty bruise to show for whatever happened. (Butch): And where is she now? (Sean): She’s in the locker room I think. (Butch): Thanks. Good to see you back by the way. I know we’ve not had a chance to properly catch up but we’ll talk soon, yeah? David keeps asking for you to help him with this new PS5 game we got him. Sean snickers lightly and nods. (Sean): Sure thing, can’t wait. Nephew and uncle fist-bump before Butch gives Sean an appreciative slap on the shoulder before making his way to the locker room. As he comes up to the women’s one, he knocks politely on the door. (Butch): Michelle? You in there in, pal? Everything ok? Michelle’s voice can be heard through the door albeit muffled. (Michelle): Yeah, come on in. (Butch): You sure? If you’d rather Wisdom spoke to you I can give her a call? (Michelle): No, no, it’s fine! Butch, despite being given consent to enter, still opens the door tentatively, peering his head in slowly first and he sees Michelle sitting on one of the benches. He walks in and sits down next to her, dwarfing her massively in size. (Butch): You alright? Let me see. He gently tilts Michelle's chin up to look at her neck. He furrows his brow as he sees the bruise from Alexis' chokehold. (Butch): That's a nasty one. You're getting quite the collection of bulps and bruises recently. Michelle looks away, feeling a little foolish. (Butch): So, tell me what happened. (Michelle): It was honestly nothing, Mr Parker- (Butch): Michelle, how long have you known me? I know I'm your boss but how many times do I have to ask you to call me Butch? (Michelle): Sorry, Butch, force of habit. (Butch): So, come on, spill, what happened? (Michelle): It was something over nothing, I don't want a big fuss made. Sarah was just giving me some pointers for some submission holds, Alexis showed up asking if she could some to. She put on me and she held o to it a lot longer than I expected. (Butch): And you tapped? So she knew to let go? (Michelle): I tapped but it's possible she may not have noticed? She's quite an intense character so she maybe just caught up in the moment. I honestly don't want any trouble, Butch. I'm facing her at Havoc and I'd rather just focus on that. (Butch): I appreciate your honesty, Michelle. But I still need to speak to Wisdom on this and I need to speak to Alexis too. She’s new so probably isn’t used to the dynamic you all have together. But as long as you’re ok? Michelle smiles. (Michelle): Thank you for being so considerate, Butch. And yes, l'm okay. (Butch): Okay, well you know if you need anything you can come to me or Wisdom or Sense Matthew. I know he's not been back long but Coach Hans is here as well. (Michelle): Thank you. (Butch): Right, well I'm going to get out of your hair, and keep up the work. You and Sarah killed it last week and good luck against Alexis, don't let her intimidate you with her experience; just do your best, alright? Don’t overthink it. (Michelle): I'll try not to. The scene cuts back to Butch's home office. He looks at his list again putting a tick next to the Speak with Michelle. He looks down the list and sees about speaking Alexis. He lets the air in his cheeks puff out and mutters to himself. (Butch): It never ends… Butch pulls his MacBook Pro over on his desk, turning it on and he navigates his way towards the recording app that feeds directly to the HWA social media networks. He opens his mouth wide, stretching his jaw, cracking his neck from side-to-side. He clicks on record and a red light goes on at the top of the screen. (Butch): Good afternoon, everyone. I trust you all, the HWA fans, superstars and everyone associated with us are having a great day. I can’t wait for our next Havoc, where, as announced by my beautiful wife, we’ll be live from the United Center in Chicago. I’ve had many great career highlights and great times in the Windy City. Chicagoans are some of the most passionate and loud wrestling fans on the planet and I can’t wait to hear you all in just a few short weeks! Butch takes a moment to clear his throat before continuing. (Butch): Now, the reason for my broadcast is I have a couple of points I have to address. Firstly, Alexis Rose, our newest acquisition. First and foremost, welcome to the Hardcore Wrestling Alliance. I was planning on picking up with you privately about this but seeing as you’ve decided to air your concerns publicly to both Wisdom and myself, I thought I’d return the favour. You’ve been quite vocal about your past accomplishments, notably in Apex Championship Wrestling. I know all about them, as you’ll recall I came to one of your shows personally. What you say is true about both Wisdom and myself in terms of how we arrived in this company and the impact we both made. I will put what happened down to over-exuberance and a desire to make a statement. As such, there will be no punishment for what happened at the Training Academy between you and Michelle Learner. But… Butch points to the camera in a gesturing motion. (Butch): I’m not daft, Alexis. I have been in this business for almost thirty years. So don’t think you can pull the wool over my eyes. I’ve seen the footage. You said you wanted to teach Michelle a lesson? That’s why you didn’t let up when she tapped out? Whilst I appreciate your enthusiasm, we have enough coaches with plenty of experience in submission wrestling that can impart their Wisdom. So this will be my first and only warning for you, pull any shit like that again, and we will have be having more than a frank conversation. If you don’t like that, think it’s fair or what you’ve seen so far in HWA, go ahead, and walk out. You’re still within the cooling off period and you haven’t competed yet. Go to Stardom, go to AEW, I’m sure Tony would love another female superstar who airs her dirty laundry in public. You won’t hold me over a barrel, Alexis. I’m a firm man but I’m also fair. I’ll trust you until you give me a reason not to and so far, you’ve got a lot of ground to make up if you want to earn mine. Butch takes another moment to collect his thoughts before continuing. (Butch): On to my second and last order of business… Matt and Maniac… Matt, I hear you, I hear everything you’re saying. God knows I’ve been in your position, wanting revenge on an opponent for what happened, wanting blood, to beat the living daylights out of them in the most barbaric way possible. Wisdom and I just can’t sanction this though and I can assure you, despite what Maniac may think, this is not out of protection of you. We’ve both watched you become a real leader for this company. I know you stuck by us when you had offers to go to WWE, to go to Impact and back to Japan and believe me, no one appreciates than Wisdom and I. But even the legal parameters of forcing something unsanctioned through has its own minefield of red tape to navigate. Wisdom and I will sit down and discuss what we feel is an appropriate match for you and Maniac to have that will give you the catharsis you’re looking for… as for you Maniac, just stay in your lane. You’re in no position to be making demands from anyone let alone Wisdom. Like it or not, she is your boss and you will show her some goddamn f**king respect. Also, just an FYI, you’ll be hearing from HR about your relationship with Mandy. As an on-air talent involved with a media employee, you will have to disclose all manner of your relationship to us so we can ensure everyone’s physical and mental well-being is not at risk. Butch leaves another moment of silence for his words to sink before going on. He smiles this time. (Butch): That’s all from me today, ladies and gentlemen and if I don’t see before then, I’ll see you all in Chicago! Butch stops the recording and forwards it on to Mandy to instruct her to ensure it’s posted to every one of HWA’s social media platforms. After that, he leans back in his chair again, picking up the piece of paper from his desk and sees about getting in touch with Eddie's son, Ash Phoenix after he agreed to give him a talent contract. He sighs again. Butch had reached out to Ash several times already, as had Hans, to schedule his induction at the Academy and go through the appropriate insurance and legal prerequisites but so far he hadn't heard back. Although it was probably in vein, he decided to try again. He pulls out his iPhone and cycles through the contacts and finds Ash's contact details and tries to phone. After several unsuccessful rings, he reaches the voicemail and Butch rolls his eyes. At the prompt to leave a message, he beings speaking. (Butch): Ash, it's Butch Parker....again. Just leaving you another message regarding your Academy induction, we can get you scheduled in to go through your beginners training with our Head Coach. There also some legal breadcrumbs to dot the l's and cross the T's on, insurance etcetera. If you've decided you don't want to train with us at our facilities that is fine. That being said, our facilities have just been upgraded significantly with top-of-the-line equipment, we have nutritionists on-site, a swimming pool, training rings, the works. We also have a state-of-the-art entertainment recording suite to help you get used to interacting with the rest of the roster, interviews and things like that. However I do appreciate given your family history, it might a little but too raw for you to train with us. However, regardless, before you can compete in a HWA ring, you will need to go through a formal induction which is laid out in the terms of your talent contract. Give me a call when you're ready. Butch hangs up and takes a moment. He chews furtively on his lower lip, contemplating. (Butch): F**k it. He picks his phone up again and goes to another name in his contacts list. The line rings for about ten seconds before going to a familiar voice. (Talon): Hey, it's Talon, you know what to do, leave me a message and I'll get back to you! (Butch): Talon, it's Butch. We need to talk, it's about Eddie...and Ash... I'm giving you one more chance to call me back. Just remember, I know where the Icebox is. I don’t want trouble, I just want to talk so…Just call me back...please. Butch hits "End Call" and throws his phone on to his desk. He grabs his pen, ticking the rest of the list off as the scene fades to black.
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