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Posted by George Cheeks
on January 1, 2025, 10:47 am
Los Angeles, CA – Confidential Location – Days Before Havoc
George Cheeks had arrived at his destination of the meeting that had been arranged via favors on top of favors. This was something not typically done in the industry and were the roles reversed he wasn’t sure that he would be as accommodating.
He pulled into the lot, security checked him in, and he was greeted by an assistant that escorted him upstairs to a conference room. He was riddled with anxiety, but maintained a look of indifference as his host greeted him. Before they spoke a word other than casual greetings, the NDA was on the table for him to sign. Richard had already reviewed it and he signed it without reservation. He hated this, hated being forced to yield to another media empire. He felt like a child asking permission to have a cookie, and they knew they had the upper hand.
The meeting was brief…less than 30 minutes. He had gotten what he’d come for, information and confirmation. He thanked his hosts for their extraordinary consideration and left. It took everything he had not to race back to his car, to take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator, to politely wave and nod to the passersby along the way, to not leave skid marks in pulling out of the lot. As he pulled out he picked up speed, hooked a left around the corner and pulled over.
(George Cheeks): Fuk…Fuk…Fuk!
He yelled slamming his fist into the dashboard. He grabbed his phone and here was the moment. Here was the decision he had thought of, debated and dreaded since Richard had arranged this meeting. He wanted to call Butch and Wisdom immediately, to bring them up to speed on what’s plagued his life the last few months but he couldn’t. Instead, he called Richard, his CBS legal counsel would help set the stage of his next actions.
(Richard): That was fast; how’d it go?
He sighed heavily, rubbing his fingers across his brow as he tilted his head into the rest of his seat.
(George Cheeks): It’s true! It’s happening.
(Richard): Well…Shit!
(George Cheeks): What the hell am I supposed to do? I can’t sit on this.
(Richard): You do you’re job, the Board has to be brought in this, it’s their decision.
(George Cheeks): What about “them”? What about…
(Richard): What about them? Look, we’ve got what…100 different shows, programs and specials…HWA’s Havoc is just one. “One” George, so whatever happens, happens. You’re the CEO of CBS, the entirety of CBS, not any “one” show.
(George Cheeks): I know that, but I brought them in, I led this resurgence. They may be just one of the shows, but they’re the top show on the network, and by all metrics back where they were ten years ago toppling the competition.
(Richard): Sure, but for how long now? So, what’s it gonna be?
He knew what he had to do. He was the leading executive of one of the most powerful networks in the world. It was far from uncommon that wrestling promotions switched networks or shows were sold. Havoc was just another show and if they had to cut the cord, that’s what he’d do. He stiffened his back, and his nature of being a talent and successful businessman returned.
(George Cheeks): I’m heading back to the office. Do me a favor and call an emergency board meeting, we’ve got to get ahead of this.
(Richard): Done…see when you get here!
He hung up with Richard, looked at his phone where had pulled up Butch and Wisdom’s number and closed it. He couldn’t call them. He wouldn’t dare jeopardize everything. He wasn’t going to break confidentiality and sacrifice his career, his livelihood, his reputation, CBS itself for one show, despite his personal love and affection, despite his promise to stand by them. He told himself that he had done so, he had brought them back. He had pushed and propelled them forward in spite of media buzzes, small controversies, and the usual complaints they get about shows. He had also promised that they would govern themselves, with little to no network interference and he’d upheld that as well, all these things were true. He pulled away from the curb where he parked and mutters under his breath…
(George Cheeks): Sorry my friends…business is business!
CBS Studios wasn’t too far away and soon he’d be sitting with the Board reviewing the details of the news that he just received and laying out CBS’s official response when the time came. As for Butch and Wisdom would just have to be kept in the dark. George drove with his thoughts still racing, but resolved in the precautions and decisions CBS now had to prepare to make as the scene faded to black.
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