AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Marty daintily dabs his lips on a napkin. “Are you quite done? If you are finished with your hissy fit, I suggest you stop making a scene in here. Sit down, and I’ll enlighten you on the reality of this industry and the value of wrestlers. In case you’ve forgotten.”
I emit a low growl but do as Marty says. I take the chair, reverse it, and sit in it backwards. That’s as far as my ego will permit. Marty should be thankful I don’t throw the chair at him.
“Fine, you enlighten me. I can’t wait to hear your side,” I lie.
I know it’ll be bullshit, but I’ll let the little munchkin yack away. It’ll prevent me from punching him into tomorrow, which really is my preferred instinct when little gold-diggers dig for treasure on top of my career grave.
Marty leans in over his half-eaten pickle and hisses. “Listen and listen well. You are going to do that fight and you’re going to like it because it’s your job. Raucous didn’t hire you for your mouth or moral fiber. They hired you for your muscles and your overwrought acting skills. You will fight, and you will fight damn well ‘cause this is your last gig.”
My eyes widen. I grip the back of the chair like it’s a steering wheel in a 200-mph road race. But I don’t explode. I don’t rage. I don’t stamp my feet and destroy Norm’s Deli like a decent orc would. What’s the use?
I know under my current contract Raucous can still book me and use me however they want. They can pair me up against any loser in tight pants. I have to suck it up and smile.
Blood rushes into my head at the thought. The orc in me is ready to blow a fuse, to call Marty and Raucous every name in the book. I’m so pissed even the smell of deli meat doesn’t placate my nerves.
Marty stares at me like I’m a pot of gold he hasn’t gripped yet under his sweaty arm. His look is pure I-told-you-so and it’s disgusting. I question my sanity. How in the hell did I ever think this creep was a good managerial match?
“That’s your undoing, you know? That ego of yours. I know orcs are great in the ring. But outside of it? Never mind. Here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to be a professional in dealing with this fight. I don’t care what you think of their new ‘It’ boy. You’re going to welcome him into the fold. Shake his hand. Engage in polite banter. Pretend to listen and care about what the newbie thinks and says. Then, you’re going to fight him as per the written spiel. And however the crowd cheers or boos, you’re going to like that, too. Right up ‘til the second after your contract expires, you will like it all.”
My eyeballs are on fire, but I don’t respond. I lower my head and stare at the glass tabletop. With one slap of my hand, I could crack it in two, let the two pieces fly and smash against the far wall, and burst into glittering smithereens.
I’ve spent my career trying to suppress my bestial urges. To become the professional Marty is now throwing in my face. He knows I won’t fight this backroom decision. He knows I have no power outside of the ring.
God dammit. I hate this industry. I used to love it. Now, I don’t. Or scratch that. I hate Raucous Entertainment. They made me what I am today, sure. But now they’re bent on ruining what they made. Like they know what I’ve been doing behind their back. Moonlighting of a sort with Chey.
I mean, did they figure it out? Did people around town see me and my secret pastime and tell? They couldn’t possibly, could they?
I don’t say, not even in my mind. But I know they could.
It looks like I’m in the middle of a payback shaft. I’m on my way out with Raucous, and they’re making damn sure my brand is ruined as my ass hits the exit door. And they know and I know there’s not a freaking thing I can do about it.
It’s not until this moment, as I gaze at the table glass, seeing my reflection in its mirror image, that I feel used. Like I’m a piece of deli meat sitting on a cooler shelf in this very store. No better than that. After all the years and all the championship fights, I’m still no better than that.
The disgust and shame bubble to the surface. I clench both fists. Their usual green skin hue morphs into white knuckle storm. It’s all I can do to even breathe.
“You okay, Ronan? You look unwell.”
I jerk my head up and glare at the tiny man. His hat is at the usual jaunty angle. He’s lighting up one of his stinking cigars. He looks satiated and happy. I despise his contentment.
They want me for my muscles and my acting. Fine. That’s what they’ll get.
I serenely smile and continue to horrendously lie. “Sure, I’m good. Never better. Personally, I can’t wait to get back into the ring. I didn’t mean I’m upset about fighting the new kid. All us fighters were new once. I just meant I was bothered that you didn’t tell me yourself. I figured you and I were still close enough for a heads up.”
“Ah, well, yes. I didn’t handle this turn of events as I should have, I suppose.” Marty puffs away.
“Hey, you were probably busy, right? I’m sorry if I gave off the wrong impression. Of course, I’ll be professional and welcoming to the newbie on the block. When have I not?”
I continue to smile. I feel bile inching up from my gullet. I could vomit all over the smarmy leprechaun right now. Man, now, that would make me content.
Instead, I swallow the acid flow and keep on smiling. No wonder old wrestlers end up with ulcers before they are thirty years old.
“Listen, I have to get going. Little time left now before the match to train.”
I rise from the tiny seat and replace the chair in its proper position. I head for the door, and at the last minute turn around and face Marty one last time.
“Marty, listen, I know none of what’s going on is your fault. You’re not even my manager anymore. You’re between a wrestler fist and a hard place. I get it.” I drop the lying. This came out of me, the honest me. I don’t owe Marty a damn thing. But here I am, letting him off the hook when I’m so hanging on for dear life myself. Highly un-orc like behavior.
“It’s true, kid. If you have a beef, you really need to knock on executive office doors at the Raucous HQ. I’ll agree, it wasn’t very nice of them to not inform you of the upcoming fight. Let’s hope it was a clerical error and nothing more.”
