Wisdom leaves her office walking just a few feet next door to Butch’s office. He’s on the phone and holds his finger up for the person to wait, not having looked up from his desk that its her. She smiles taking him in. “From Brute to Boss” she remembers the headlines saying when HWA was first making its big return, and he was. He was still very much a brute, but she loved just as much seeing him be the boss, especially after this past Havoc. She waits patiently as he finishes his call, finally looking up to the doorway. His face lights up seeing her, and he gets up from behind his desk to greet her wrapping his arm around her waist and planting a kiss on her lips. He tasted like Irn-Bru, which he shouldn’t be drinking right now because of the caffeine, but she didn’t say anything.
(Wisdom): I was going to call upstairs for the chopper, are you ready to head out?
(Butch): Yeah, I was just finishing up. Venum wants to do a new line of sportswear for you, Sean and I.
(Wisdom): That'd be great, if we get our foot in the door maybe they'll do a campaign for some others on the roster later on. Those that behave themselves at least.
Butch doesn’t respond straightaway as he chews on his bottom lip.
(Butch): Yeah… at this rate what are the chances of that happening?
(Wisdom): We’ll worry about that later. Grab your bag…I’m making cedar plank Scottish Salmon tonight. And before you say anything…yes it is! I actually had some flown in. I learned my lesson with you years ago when you took a bit of Atlantic Salmon and turned your little nose up.
She smiles at him remembering the dinner and how he ate it anyway just for her. Clearly his palate could taste an immediate difference. Butch allows himself a light smile, recalling the meal vividly. He grabs his bag from his desk and heaves it onto his shoulder. He stops for a moment, looking down at the floor. He breathes in and out and slowly for a moment before standing up straight and cricks his neck from side to side. He moves the conversation along, hoping Wisdom hadn’t noticed.
(Butch): Salmon sounds good. You know Evina will be picking the bones out of it though.
(Wisdom): No bones, it’s already been filet, but I’ll double check of course.
She grabs his hand, and they walk down the hall toward the elevator. They look around at this amazing building they’ve renovated. The floors below them were no doubt hustling and bustling with activity. Despite the crazy week, the feeling was rewarding as they stepped into the elevator and headed to the helipad on the roof. Once the doors opened a good gust of wind slapped them in the face, of nice, cool Pacific Ocean air. The attendant opened the doors for them as they approached and ever the gentleman…Butch held onto Wisdom’s arm as she stepped up inside. Only minutes later they were in the air, making their way north up the coastline home. While they were still early in their flight, she wanted to talk with him about the email she received. Tentatively pulling the page she printed out.
(Wisdom): There’s something else we should discuss; I rather get it out of the way now than let it linger and I’d like to email him back tonight and get it over with.
Wisdom hands the email she printed out to him and searches his face for a response as his eyes dart back and forth across the page.
Wisdom it’s George. It’s been a little while, but the Executives are starting to buzz and I feel compelled to inject myself into the conversation. I suppose you know Havoc is being widely talked about and for many reasons. It’s not the ratings, those are quite high. In fact, if James Corden where seeing these numbers he’d still be here, no this is about other concerns, after Havoc I’m sure you can imagine what some of those might be. It may be best if we discuss this in person, lets set something up for next week with myself, you and Butch. I’ll have my people call yours. Talk Soon!
She continues to search his face for a response as he seems to finish.
(Wisdom): Well?
Butch looks out at the LA skyline in a contemplative manner, breathing out deeply through his nose. He looks back, tilting his head back against his seat.
(Butch): Well, we knew it was coming. This was exactly what I wanted to avoid. We haven’t even had our first PPV yet and we’ve already got execs demanding meetings. F*ck! I knew it was a mistake signing Maniac!
(Wisdom): To be fair, its not just Maniac. Deas came back and jumped right to violence with that goddamn bat of his, at least Maniac built up to it. Draconis…I don’t know. He could have and should have helped Jeremy…it was dick move to just walk away. We certainly wouldn’t have signed Kain and Abel if we really had a comprehensive understanding of the relationship with Fallen, but they’re all here now. The question is can we reign them in or do we ultimately have to cut them loose because the last thing we need is more of these.
Wisdom holds him the email.
(Wisdom): You know the network has no say in our operations. That was part of this whole deal, but they could pull the plug on our programming, and we’d be right back where we were. We can’t let our guys down, Sean and Matt who’ve lived these past years for this moment, all the folks we just hired and rehired back into the offices. We have to make this work.
(Butch): I don’t know… I really don’t know…
Butch balls his fists up until his knuckles turn white.
(Butch): I’m scared, babe. Scared of losing everything we worked for… everything Sean, Matt and everyone busted their asses for. I’m scared of failing. I can’t fail at this, we can’t fail at this. Nebraska has to be different. If they don’t get in line, what do I do? I can’t just go round hitting Tartan Army Charges left, right and centre…
Butch clasps his hands almost in a prayer-like fashion. He feels a horrible sick feeling in the pit his stomach. That feeling when you know you’re going to be sick, it’s just a matter of when, not if. He looks at Wisdom, looking for answers in his beautiful wife’s face.
Wisdom takes his hands and rests her head on his shoulder. The delightful scent of her hair wafts up his nostrils like aromatherapy.
(Wisdom): Our goals haven’t changed. Your vision hasn’t changed. If our people can’t fall in line with that, what they all know this company is based upon…then we have to let them go, even it means Matt goes too, but I don’t think it will come to that. We don’t know what Greg wants to talk about, it will do us no good jumping to conclusions. Right now we have to get through Omaha and see where things land. But, until we know what that is, I’m a little hesitant about a few things. I’m worried about Stu-E’s daughter getting involved in some nonsense out there, I’m mindful that we might need to push pause on signing new talent until we get who we have under control, but I’m also fully aware that the fans are largely enjoying having us back…numbers don’t lie so they can’t get us for that.
(Butch): You’re right about Price’s daughter. The way Fallen and Legion have been behaving, I hate the idea of a little girl even hearing something like that. I don’t mind her being in the director’s box out of harms way but ringside…I’m not so sure. If shit hits the fan with them and the World Powers, I need to make a statement. Whether that’s physical or firing them. We can’t risk any more fallout.
(Wisdom): Perhaps you can discuss it with Stu-E, it’s his daughter and we did permit her to be with him, but if it becomes too much of a risk to her then we might need to definitely rethink things. She’s adorable and you can see how she connects with the fans, she enjoys them and they enjoy here and the t-shirts are a huge success. I think about how you’d feel with Evina or David in your corner, I don’t want to take that away from him, but her safety does worry me. Anyway…we’re halfway home, lets lighten the mood. I know Havoc cast a shadow on everything from start to finish so you haven’t had time to check in with Sean. I heard he and Michelle officially had an unofficial “date.” I’m really happy to see him in this new light. He’s tucked himself away in that regard since his accident and after. He’s coming out of his shell a little, and she’s such a sweetheart don’t you think?
(Butch): She is but she’s a tough cookie; she’s getting better in the ring too, she really took it to Alexis. I was really impressed with her. Sean needs someone like her though. He’s been so frustrated with everything lately. He desperately wants to show the world what he’s capable of. Michelle will keep him grounded for sure.
(Wisdom): Speaking of tough little blondes. There’s one at home still waiting for you to take her to that movie you promised. And just so you know, you can add Little Mermaid to the list, since it came out today. I thought we’d go to that one together though…I love me some Ariel myself.
Butch genuinely smiles for the first time.
(Butch): I have the tickets booked, I’ll take her tomorrow. However just so you know, David also wants to watch Super Mario Bros, it came out on digital download yesterday and he seen the commercial for it. He won’t shut up about it.
(Wisdom): In that case, we’ll make it a family weekend. It’s Memorial Day weekend so lets celebrate the troops who have come and gone, and celebrate ourselves. We could use some unwinding. We can go to the movies in the late morning, you and Evina to that Judy Blume flick, and I’ll take David to Super Mario and then we can do lunch. We can go to Casruso’s, we liked that place last time we went.
Wisdom snuggles up closer to him. Her finger brushing the hairs on his forearm.
(Wisdom): Don’t worry babe, everything is going to be just fine. I love you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, our company, our family, and everything we love. You’re not the One-Man Tartan Army anymore, you haven’t been for a long time because you’re not the only lion in this fight.
She tilts her head up and kisses him. His lips have a slight chill from the air, but his tongue fills her mouth with warmth. She pulls back and nestles her head on his broad chest. They’re about 10 minutes out from being home, and enjoy the rest of the ride in silence as the sun gets closer to setting. Daylight still had a good hour left but the orange and pinks were starting to develop in the sky and it was a beautiful way to end the work day. They looked forward to the weekend, and recharging their batteries before diving back into things next week. And the scene fades to black.
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