The Headliner
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OUTSTANDING
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Microphone in hand, Doug Solomon knocks on the door of the chairman's office and walks in. Jimmy Duxen is on the phone at his desk, sounding agitated by the conversation. Nearby, part time secretary Keeley is breaking into a sweat behind her own computer, due either to the strictly formal businesswear enclosing her coveted form on this summer afternoon, or to whatever minor word processing challenge she faces today.
"You just wanna see me fail," states Duxen down the phone, "You wanna be there when I go down, but you won't get the satisfaction! You really wanna buy a ticket? Then go right ahead! I'll..."
Jimmy looks up at Doug with his hand over the mouthpiece and snaps, "Did I tell you to come in?"
We shuffle back out of the room, and wait behind the closed door with Doug leaning his ear against it to decipher the chairman's muffled voice. When the call apparently ends, the handle turns and Doug stands up straight as Duxen steps out into the corridor.
"Uh, who was on the phone?" asks Doug, "Was that..."
"No one worth talking about," declares the ex-cop.
"Alright, uh, Jimmy, this Sunday on pay-per-view, you've got a 2-out-of-3 Falls match against Harrison Hughes, the former chairman of HPW, for ownership of this company. If it ends two falls to one, the loser gets a year's immunity on the active roster - but if it's a clean two-nil sweep, the loser may never work for HPW again. What are your thoughts heading into Destiny Calls?"
Glaring at the intrusive interviewer, Duxen slowly turns and looks our way. "Harrison Hughes, you've taken everything from me. After twelve years on the force, you took away my badge. The charges laid against me could cost every cent I've ever earned. And you turned my closest confidant against me.
"The fans, the people of St Louis, they don't respect me. They point and they laugh, they say I had it coming. They may be right. But there's a bigger justice to be served here, and that's what I'm going to do to you this Sunday.
"Because apart from the World Title that you tried to cost me, all I have left is the one thing YOU hold dear, the one thing that's driven you to everything you've done to me - Headline Pro Wrestling."
A small gleam appears in the chairman's eyes, "I was there, Harrison. I was there when you set your goals, set your sights on what you wanted to achieve with this company. And thanks to you, I know how it feels to have those dreams stripped away. So my only solace, my only remaining comfort, is to keep this from you and watch you suffer. Watch you waste away, tormented by a life of unfulfilled potential."
"Jimmy, can I ask what Hughes said to you on the phone, to change your mind about this match and accept his challenge, stipulations and all?"
Duxen faces Solomon, "When I took this company from under his nose, Doug, it was business. After our private conversation two weeks ago, it's personal. That's why I'm prepared to put not only this company but consequently my career on the line in a match at Destiny Calls."
"Well, uh, thank you for your time Jimmy, and may I wish you the best of luck in your 2-out-of-3 Falls match at HPW 5."
"Doug... we both know you're hoping I lose, so you can stop crawling up my ass." Duxen walks away, leaving the interviewer willing but unable to argue.
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