HWA Message Board: CBS Backlash

Los Angeles, CA – CBS Studios – September 3, 2024 - The Morning After Havoc

The phone has been ringing off the hook since Havoc aired the night prior, and emails and social media posts continued to filter in. News was all over about the events of Havoc, the incident with a known arsonist and fugitive Professor David Hoff, the violent and graphic attack on Mandy Banks.

He was at his wits end, not exactly from the backlash, but one disturbing call from a colleague in particular. Now, CBS President and Chief Executive Officer George Cheeks is in his office on that call. He paces the floor as he pulls at his tie on his neck, loosening it as if it’s choking him.

(George Cheeks): ………….How the fuk am I just hearing about this Richard I thought we had an agreement?..................... No, of course not……………….Uh huh…………..look, that’s not gonna fly, we’ve sunk millions into this, my goddamn reputation is at stake here……………. are you sure about this?.......................when?.......................... I don’t know, I need time, we’ve got to sort this out before the board…………….yeah exactly………..fine, just keep me posted, you hear anything, anything else I wanna know about it, if a flea farts in that office I wanna know about it…..yeah…..sure…..Oh, and Richard? Thank you!

He hangs up the call and pulls at his hair with a grunt.

(George Cheeks): Jesus Christ!

He goes over to the bar in his office and grabs a bottle of Proper Twelve that Butch and Wisdom had sent him, compliments of Stu-E Price. He’d already opened it prior and pours himself a glass taking the full swig down. He looks back at his phone and dials a number, it rings, then goes to voicemail.

(George Cheeks): Butch, Wisdom it’s George…somethings come up, now listen…we didn’t think this crap was going to affect us at all but I’m still trying to get details. A pretty reliable source just informed me that…

He pauses, takes a deep breath.

(George Cheeks): Actually, hold that thought…I need to look into this, it could be nothing, I don’t know, but if its not we could have a problem on our hands with the network execs. You know what…forget I said anything for now, I’ve got some leg work to do on this.

He hags up abruptly realizing how cryptic and perhaps even drunken his voicemail might seem. He’d sort things out with them later as best he could, right now he had some homework to do before the Board of Directors where on his ass, and the shit hit the fan. He poured himself another drink, thinking of HWA and of Havoc and what had just been stirred up as the scene fades to black.