Post by Bryan "Buzz" Worthy on Sept 7, 2014 12:08:29 GMT -5
A Different Kind of Clusterfuck
*It’s Tuesday morning at the Penn State Wrestling Federation workout facility. This is where we find Bryan Worthy resuming his exercise regimen after a day off to recover from his Pay Per View match against Pantheon. He and Cormack Macneill had done the job, though in Buzz’s opinion the contest had been a lot closer than expected. Perhaps that was why this coming Sunday he’d be once again competing for WCF’s Television Title. That possibility sat better than the alternative: the bookers had run out of wrestlers to feed to the human blast furnace that was the current champ, John Gable, and were simply recycling old failed challengers. *
*Worthy was on a treadmill. The thud-thud-thud of his sneakers hitting the machine’s whirring belt was inaudible to him over the music from his phone. As he ran, the threads that kept him plugged into the device would bounce repeatedly off his torso. He had just adjusted the treadmill’s incline to 45 degrees when his playlist was interrupted by a loud beep. Buzz had a call. He reduced the rate and tilt of his track so that it was safe to unhitch the phone from his shorts and answer it.*
Buzz: What’s up, Gabe?
Gabriel Plonck: Hey, brother. How you doing?
*Gabriel Plonck is the founder and editor in chief of “The Smart Market” online wrestling news site. With over four million paying subscribers, its one of the most prominent sources of information on the sport in the WCF Universe (though this does not necessarily translate to it being the most accurate). Plonck and Worthy know each other in a manner that goes beyond just professional, though at this point the origins of their acquaintanceship is unknown. *
Buzz: I’m fine. What’s up?
Gabe: You seeing anyone right now?
*Bryan’s eyes narrowed and small creases began to form on his sweat-soaked brow.*
Buzz: Seeing as in dating? Not currently. Why?
Gabe: Good… good. And your family; how are they doing? Still Buzz’s biggest boosters, I’m guessing?
Buzz: My family is fine. They’re still supporting my career decisions, yes. WHY?
*Worthy had stopped walking on the treadmill now; his feet planted on either side of the turning conveyor.*
Gabe: Yeah, well, that’s good. Sure. Your folks are the best. Very understanding. Uhm, you got heat with your bosses at all?
Buzz: Gabe, get to your point.
Gabe: The Smart Market has a story about you. The plan is to post it mid-week. It’s a bit seedy.
*Worthy wasn’t surprised.*
Buzz: That’s fine, Gabe. I’m sure my reputation will survive.
Gabe: Yeah. But see, brother, here’s the thing: I called to give you a head’s up, but also, even though it goes against every journalistic instinct I have-
*A sense of dread began forming in Bryan. Gabe wasn’t usually so circuitous in his approach. There was something going on here, and it was something he should start taking seriously.*
Gabe: - I felt it best to contact you before the story ran, to give you a chance to tell your side of the story.
Buzz: About?
Gabe: An encounter you had a couple weeks back after Slam-
*Oh.*
Gabe: -at a Dave and Buster’s in Philadelphia-
*Oh, no.*
Gabe: -where you got into a brawl with several members of a local roller derby team-
*OH, NO!*
Gabe: -which turned into a sexual encounter. With all of them.
*…*
Gabe: You still there, brother?
*Bryan was still there, barely. He could feel himself losing his balance, though, as the crushing realization of a past indiscretion was bearing down on him. He shifted his stance to adjust for the loss of moral equilibrium, forgetting the treadmill was still running.*
Buzz: Gah!
*His foot slid down the belt, causing him to pitch forward. Arms flailing, he reached out to grab the machine’s control panel. As he leaned against the device for support, Bryan awkwardly marched along the conveyor until he was able to hoist himself up and widen his legs so he straddled the machine. There was only a moment to revel in his regained stability, though; Bryan realized during the slap-stick his phone had flown from his grasp. He dismounted the treadmill completely to check on its condition. Learning the phone was inoperable he said a bad word.*
Buzz: Shit.
*He ran for the gym’s office; knowing there was a landline phone within. Unofrtunately, the door was locked. He ran back to the treadmill he had been using, stuffed himself into his official WCF Athletic Gear tee shirt, and hustled out into the hall. It was still early, but there should be someone at the complex with either a phone or a key to a room that had one. As he took a corner, Bryan saw his fellow Fourth Estater, Hank Brown, walking towards him. Pleased, he rushed forward to meet him.*
Buzz: Hank, good to see you.
*The Voice of WCF nodded, his honed journalistic senses making note of his greeter’s disheveled state. He chose not to comment on it.*
Hank: Likewise, Bryan. I was hoping to run into you this morning. Got time to answer a few questions?
*Bryan’s relieved grin faltered.*
Buzz: Sure. But, uh, before we start, would it be too much to ask to borrow your phone?
*Hank assented to the request and handed over his cell. Bryan used it to call Gabriel Plonck’s voice mail.*
Buzz: Hey, it’s Bryan Worthy. Sorry we got disconnected earlier. My phone was damaged. Accidentally. But I’m calling back to tell you the… scenario we discussed is in fact true. However, before you, uhm, move forward, I would like to speak with you in person to discuss the circumstances. Shoot me an email if you’re open to that. Thank you.
*Returning the phone to Hank, Buzz smiled broadly.*
Buzz: Thanks. Where would you like to talk?
*After making a mental note of the number Buzz dialed, Hank ushered him to some chairs set up by a large bay window. He took out his notepad and pencil and began the interview.*
Hank: I’d like to start with your tag match at Revenge against Pantheon, specifically your thoughts about the performance of WCF’s latest mystery man Daniel Booker.
*Bryan leaned forward in his seat, hands clasped between his splayed legs, before replying.*
Buzz: Daniel Booker was solid. For his first official match he acquitted himself well. Putting down a bruiser like Cormack MacNeill takes some doing. But honestly, I expected more from Pantheon’s newest member. He’s on the team to replace Steve Orbit: one of the top five wrestlers in the sport. That’s a huge undertaking. Maybe he will be able to rise to the challenge. But Booker’s in a heck of a situation. Since they formed, Pantheon has gladly put a target on itself. The group wanted to be the ones to keep order in the WCF; to remind everyone of their place on the card- which, in their view, was under them. Now there’s a lot of talented people in the company now who resent Pantheon’s sense of nobelesse oblige; a lot of big guns who would be happy to shred that bull’s-eye. Those are tough conditions for any competitor to thrive under; and for a rookie like Booker, the burden’s that much greater.
*Hank wrote something on his pad.*
Hank: How about your own performance in the match?
Buzz: We lost, so I’m not happy with it. But, like I said, the company has a stacked roster. Wins are hard to come by here. And there’s no shame in losing a match where one of your opponents is Jonny Fly.
*He unwound his fingers and rested them on his thighs, tapping them absently.*
Hank: Despite the loss, this coming week WCF has you booked in a match for the Television Title.
Buzz: Yes. This will be my third attempt to take the belt from John Gable.
Hank: Do you like your chances?
*Worthy shrugged.*
Buzz: It’s a Fatal Four Way. All kinds of things can happen under those conditions. You can dominate for the majority of the match, and then still lose because one of your opponents happens to be in the right place at the right time. And, the reverse can be true as well.
Hank: Handicap the competition for us.
Buzz: My co-challengers are very similar. Shawn Scholes and Justin Cash are both tough talking powerhouses who recently joined WCF. Neither seems to have much respect for rules or authority. They even look alike. In terms of in-ring ability, I’d say they’re average; strong for their size, but nothing special beyond that.
Hank: And John Gable?
Buzz: Gable’s going into his sixth month as Television Champion. He’s defended his title almost weekly during that time. That’s impressive. WCF might as well officially rename the belt the Cinema Championship at this point.
Hank: Sounds to me like you think the odds of John Gable retaining are high.
Buzz: He’s certainly the favorite, even in a match like this. He’s beaten everyone the booking committee has thrown at him. The last time he lost was at Ultimate Showdown, where he still walked away with the TV Title. So, yeah, I’d say the chances are good.
*Hank stared dourly at his interview subject, which caused Bryan to shrug again.*
Buzz: What were you expecting me to say, Hank? You wanted some kind of speech about how I’m gunning for Gable, and that I am going to be the one to end his reign? You want some red meat?
Hank: I’d never tell you how to conduct an interview, Buzz.
Buzz: And I appreciate that. And, tell you what: since you are being so professionally courteous I’ll give you what you want.
*Buzz sat straight in his chair and cleared his throat.*
Buzz: I’m winning the Television Title Sunday. That’s right, I said Television Title. No more of this Cinema Championship nonsense. John Gable, you can take your pretentious art house inclinations and cram them up your aspect ratio. That belt is mine. You want to know why it’s mine, poseur? Because I want it, and you really don’t. I’ve been watching your promos, John. You’ve been treating that belt like a burden; like defending it is what keeps you from moving up the WCF ladder. But that’s not what is holding you back. Your lack of imagination is. You have to be the meekest egomaniac who ever laced up a pair of wrestling boots. John Gable, you want to be a wrestling headliner to transition that into an acting career, but what does you do to put himself on the marquee? Nothing. You just go through the motions, sleep-walking through your role. A lead performer cast as a supporting character. What a waste. And don’t blame Seth or the responsibility of being TV Champion for your own lack of exposure; that’s all on you. Real stars of both your chosen callings know how to get the shine on themselves. You had plenty of chances, but never took advantage of them. The first came at Explosion, where you took off your Herbert Goldstein disguise and shocked the wrestling community by helping your S-PAC stablemate Waylon Cash beat a tag team made up of Steve Orbit and the legendary Torture. Then, in your second week back, another opportunity: you pinned Jonny Fly in the main event. There’s only two other men in this company who have done that, and only one of them did it in a Slam ring.
*Buzz suddenly stood from his seat and began pacing.*
Buzz: But here’s the thing, John: all those guys I just mentioned, all those guys you proved yourself to be equal to or better than? They’re all names in this business, and you’re not. Because they were willing to capitalize on their successes, while you’re just happy to just… drift. You’re like a feather in the wind, and despite what “Forrest Gump” tried to tell us, that’s not a good thing to be. Now, who am I to say these things about you? Who should take my opinion seriously? I can’t buy a win, right, so who am I to talk about what it takes to succeed? Good questions. Here’s my answer: just because I don’t always show what it takes to succeed in wrestling doesn’t mean I don’t know what it takes to succeed in wrestling. I do know what I’m talking about, and deep down, in your heart of hearts, you know I’m right.
*Bryan stopped for a moment to check with Hank.*
Buzz: Am I going too fast for you?
*Hank shook his head no and kept writing.*
Buzz: Actors need motivation, right? Well, this week, John, I’m yours. I’m the obstacle for you to overcome to keep that belt that’s weighing you down so, so much. When Shawn Scholes and Justin Cash hear that I’m sure they’ll be insulted, but it’s on them to prove me wrong. Just like you’re going to have to prove you can beat me. Sure, you’ve done it twice before, I can’t deny that; but things change. All the rules get thrown out the window in the third part of a trilogy anyway, right? That’s what’s going to happen here. At Slam this Sunday, we’ll fight again for your Television Championship, only this time I’m taking it from you. After September 7th I'll be the one wearing that belt, thereby removing one of your built in excuses as to why John Gable is merely playing a part instead of running the whole entire show.
*Worthy stopped and sat back down in his seat, smirking slightly.*
Buzz: Good?
*Before Hank could answer his phone rang. He fished it out of his coat pocket and answered. Then he handed it over to Bryan.*
Buzz: Hello?
Gabe: You’re my hero.
Buzz: Er, yes. Hello. Well, you got my message. Or at least some of it.
*Gabe picked up on the connotation.*
Gabe: Brother, you worried that old Hanky might stooge you out for talking to a dirt sheet? Don’t worry about it. I could ruin Brown if I wanted to. Bury him so deep you’d need Robert Ballard to find him.
*Bryan glanced at the oblivious reporter, wondering if his old friend was merely talking tough, or if he really did have enough clout to silence one of the most well-regarded voices in pro wrestling.*
Gabe: Anyway, what you said is fine. We can postpone the story if you want to meet and give your side of it. But I need more than that from you.
Buzz: What is it you want?
Gabe: You to serve as a consultant for the dramatic reenactment.
*For a moment, Worthy was relieved; his initial assumption was that Plonck would try to use the situation as leverage to get him on the Smart Market staff. Then that other shoe dropped right on his head.*
Buzz: I… beg your pardon?
Gabe: Don’t worry, brother: we’re going to keep it strictly PG-13. Well, maybe a soft R, if we can get the women to take their tops off.
*Bryan was shaking his head frantically.*
Buzz: This is, this is a terrible idea. No one wants to see…. that.
Gabe: The Smart Market’s key demographic are males aged 19-34 who are unmarried and still live at home. They’ve been waiting their whole sad lives for a story like this. And you and I are going to give it to them. Right, brother?
*Bryan could have said no. But the truth was, Gabriel was risking getting scooped on this story by agreeing to wait to hear his side of it. Also, if he took part in the creation of the reenactment, perhaps the amount of salaciousness in it could be limited. Or at least the amount of salaciousness actually shown on screen; things did get crazy that night at the Dave & Buster’s. *
Buzz: Yes, of course. I’ll be in touch.
*Then he hung up.*
*It’s Tuesday morning at the Penn State Wrestling Federation workout facility. This is where we find Bryan Worthy resuming his exercise regimen after a day off to recover from his Pay Per View match against Pantheon. He and Cormack Macneill had done the job, though in Buzz’s opinion the contest had been a lot closer than expected. Perhaps that was why this coming Sunday he’d be once again competing for WCF’s Television Title. That possibility sat better than the alternative: the bookers had run out of wrestlers to feed to the human blast furnace that was the current champ, John Gable, and were simply recycling old failed challengers. *
*Worthy was on a treadmill. The thud-thud-thud of his sneakers hitting the machine’s whirring belt was inaudible to him over the music from his phone. As he ran, the threads that kept him plugged into the device would bounce repeatedly off his torso. He had just adjusted the treadmill’s incline to 45 degrees when his playlist was interrupted by a loud beep. Buzz had a call. He reduced the rate and tilt of his track so that it was safe to unhitch the phone from his shorts and answer it.*
Buzz: What’s up, Gabe?
Gabriel Plonck: Hey, brother. How you doing?
*Gabriel Plonck is the founder and editor in chief of “The Smart Market” online wrestling news site. With over four million paying subscribers, its one of the most prominent sources of information on the sport in the WCF Universe (though this does not necessarily translate to it being the most accurate). Plonck and Worthy know each other in a manner that goes beyond just professional, though at this point the origins of their acquaintanceship is unknown. *
Buzz: I’m fine. What’s up?
Gabe: You seeing anyone right now?
*Bryan’s eyes narrowed and small creases began to form on his sweat-soaked brow.*
Buzz: Seeing as in dating? Not currently. Why?
Gabe: Good… good. And your family; how are they doing? Still Buzz’s biggest boosters, I’m guessing?
Buzz: My family is fine. They’re still supporting my career decisions, yes. WHY?
*Worthy had stopped walking on the treadmill now; his feet planted on either side of the turning conveyor.*
Gabe: Yeah, well, that’s good. Sure. Your folks are the best. Very understanding. Uhm, you got heat with your bosses at all?
Buzz: Gabe, get to your point.
Gabe: The Smart Market has a story about you. The plan is to post it mid-week. It’s a bit seedy.
*Worthy wasn’t surprised.*
Buzz: That’s fine, Gabe. I’m sure my reputation will survive.
Gabe: Yeah. But see, brother, here’s the thing: I called to give you a head’s up, but also, even though it goes against every journalistic instinct I have-
*A sense of dread began forming in Bryan. Gabe wasn’t usually so circuitous in his approach. There was something going on here, and it was something he should start taking seriously.*
Gabe: - I felt it best to contact you before the story ran, to give you a chance to tell your side of the story.
Buzz: About?
Gabe: An encounter you had a couple weeks back after Slam-
*Oh.*
Gabe: -at a Dave and Buster’s in Philadelphia-
*Oh, no.*
Gabe: -where you got into a brawl with several members of a local roller derby team-
*OH, NO!*
Gabe: -which turned into a sexual encounter. With all of them.
*…*
Gabe: You still there, brother?
*Bryan was still there, barely. He could feel himself losing his balance, though, as the crushing realization of a past indiscretion was bearing down on him. He shifted his stance to adjust for the loss of moral equilibrium, forgetting the treadmill was still running.*
Buzz: Gah!
*His foot slid down the belt, causing him to pitch forward. Arms flailing, he reached out to grab the machine’s control panel. As he leaned against the device for support, Bryan awkwardly marched along the conveyor until he was able to hoist himself up and widen his legs so he straddled the machine. There was only a moment to revel in his regained stability, though; Bryan realized during the slap-stick his phone had flown from his grasp. He dismounted the treadmill completely to check on its condition. Learning the phone was inoperable he said a bad word.*
Buzz: Shit.
*He ran for the gym’s office; knowing there was a landline phone within. Unofrtunately, the door was locked. He ran back to the treadmill he had been using, stuffed himself into his official WCF Athletic Gear tee shirt, and hustled out into the hall. It was still early, but there should be someone at the complex with either a phone or a key to a room that had one. As he took a corner, Bryan saw his fellow Fourth Estater, Hank Brown, walking towards him. Pleased, he rushed forward to meet him.*
Buzz: Hank, good to see you.
*The Voice of WCF nodded, his honed journalistic senses making note of his greeter’s disheveled state. He chose not to comment on it.*
Hank: Likewise, Bryan. I was hoping to run into you this morning. Got time to answer a few questions?
*Bryan’s relieved grin faltered.*
Buzz: Sure. But, uh, before we start, would it be too much to ask to borrow your phone?
*Hank assented to the request and handed over his cell. Bryan used it to call Gabriel Plonck’s voice mail.*
Buzz: Hey, it’s Bryan Worthy. Sorry we got disconnected earlier. My phone was damaged. Accidentally. But I’m calling back to tell you the… scenario we discussed is in fact true. However, before you, uhm, move forward, I would like to speak with you in person to discuss the circumstances. Shoot me an email if you’re open to that. Thank you.
*Returning the phone to Hank, Buzz smiled broadly.*
Buzz: Thanks. Where would you like to talk?
*After making a mental note of the number Buzz dialed, Hank ushered him to some chairs set up by a large bay window. He took out his notepad and pencil and began the interview.*
Hank: I’d like to start with your tag match at Revenge against Pantheon, specifically your thoughts about the performance of WCF’s latest mystery man Daniel Booker.
*Bryan leaned forward in his seat, hands clasped between his splayed legs, before replying.*
Buzz: Daniel Booker was solid. For his first official match he acquitted himself well. Putting down a bruiser like Cormack MacNeill takes some doing. But honestly, I expected more from Pantheon’s newest member. He’s on the team to replace Steve Orbit: one of the top five wrestlers in the sport. That’s a huge undertaking. Maybe he will be able to rise to the challenge. But Booker’s in a heck of a situation. Since they formed, Pantheon has gladly put a target on itself. The group wanted to be the ones to keep order in the WCF; to remind everyone of their place on the card- which, in their view, was under them. Now there’s a lot of talented people in the company now who resent Pantheon’s sense of nobelesse oblige; a lot of big guns who would be happy to shred that bull’s-eye. Those are tough conditions for any competitor to thrive under; and for a rookie like Booker, the burden’s that much greater.
*Hank wrote something on his pad.*
Hank: How about your own performance in the match?
Buzz: We lost, so I’m not happy with it. But, like I said, the company has a stacked roster. Wins are hard to come by here. And there’s no shame in losing a match where one of your opponents is Jonny Fly.
*He unwound his fingers and rested them on his thighs, tapping them absently.*
Hank: Despite the loss, this coming week WCF has you booked in a match for the Television Title.
Buzz: Yes. This will be my third attempt to take the belt from John Gable.
Hank: Do you like your chances?
*Worthy shrugged.*
Buzz: It’s a Fatal Four Way. All kinds of things can happen under those conditions. You can dominate for the majority of the match, and then still lose because one of your opponents happens to be in the right place at the right time. And, the reverse can be true as well.
Hank: Handicap the competition for us.
Buzz: My co-challengers are very similar. Shawn Scholes and Justin Cash are both tough talking powerhouses who recently joined WCF. Neither seems to have much respect for rules or authority. They even look alike. In terms of in-ring ability, I’d say they’re average; strong for their size, but nothing special beyond that.
Hank: And John Gable?
Buzz: Gable’s going into his sixth month as Television Champion. He’s defended his title almost weekly during that time. That’s impressive. WCF might as well officially rename the belt the Cinema Championship at this point.
Hank: Sounds to me like you think the odds of John Gable retaining are high.
Buzz: He’s certainly the favorite, even in a match like this. He’s beaten everyone the booking committee has thrown at him. The last time he lost was at Ultimate Showdown, where he still walked away with the TV Title. So, yeah, I’d say the chances are good.
*Hank stared dourly at his interview subject, which caused Bryan to shrug again.*
Buzz: What were you expecting me to say, Hank? You wanted some kind of speech about how I’m gunning for Gable, and that I am going to be the one to end his reign? You want some red meat?
Hank: I’d never tell you how to conduct an interview, Buzz.
Buzz: And I appreciate that. And, tell you what: since you are being so professionally courteous I’ll give you what you want.
*Buzz sat straight in his chair and cleared his throat.*
Buzz: I’m winning the Television Title Sunday. That’s right, I said Television Title. No more of this Cinema Championship nonsense. John Gable, you can take your pretentious art house inclinations and cram them up your aspect ratio. That belt is mine. You want to know why it’s mine, poseur? Because I want it, and you really don’t. I’ve been watching your promos, John. You’ve been treating that belt like a burden; like defending it is what keeps you from moving up the WCF ladder. But that’s not what is holding you back. Your lack of imagination is. You have to be the meekest egomaniac who ever laced up a pair of wrestling boots. John Gable, you want to be a wrestling headliner to transition that into an acting career, but what does you do to put himself on the marquee? Nothing. You just go through the motions, sleep-walking through your role. A lead performer cast as a supporting character. What a waste. And don’t blame Seth or the responsibility of being TV Champion for your own lack of exposure; that’s all on you. Real stars of both your chosen callings know how to get the shine on themselves. You had plenty of chances, but never took advantage of them. The first came at Explosion, where you took off your Herbert Goldstein disguise and shocked the wrestling community by helping your S-PAC stablemate Waylon Cash beat a tag team made up of Steve Orbit and the legendary Torture. Then, in your second week back, another opportunity: you pinned Jonny Fly in the main event. There’s only two other men in this company who have done that, and only one of them did it in a Slam ring.
*Buzz suddenly stood from his seat and began pacing.*
Buzz: But here’s the thing, John: all those guys I just mentioned, all those guys you proved yourself to be equal to or better than? They’re all names in this business, and you’re not. Because they were willing to capitalize on their successes, while you’re just happy to just… drift. You’re like a feather in the wind, and despite what “Forrest Gump” tried to tell us, that’s not a good thing to be. Now, who am I to say these things about you? Who should take my opinion seriously? I can’t buy a win, right, so who am I to talk about what it takes to succeed? Good questions. Here’s my answer: just because I don’t always show what it takes to succeed in wrestling doesn’t mean I don’t know what it takes to succeed in wrestling. I do know what I’m talking about, and deep down, in your heart of hearts, you know I’m right.
*Bryan stopped for a moment to check with Hank.*
Buzz: Am I going too fast for you?
*Hank shook his head no and kept writing.*
Buzz: Actors need motivation, right? Well, this week, John, I’m yours. I’m the obstacle for you to overcome to keep that belt that’s weighing you down so, so much. When Shawn Scholes and Justin Cash hear that I’m sure they’ll be insulted, but it’s on them to prove me wrong. Just like you’re going to have to prove you can beat me. Sure, you’ve done it twice before, I can’t deny that; but things change. All the rules get thrown out the window in the third part of a trilogy anyway, right? That’s what’s going to happen here. At Slam this Sunday, we’ll fight again for your Television Championship, only this time I’m taking it from you. After September 7th I'll be the one wearing that belt, thereby removing one of your built in excuses as to why John Gable is merely playing a part instead of running the whole entire show.
*Worthy stopped and sat back down in his seat, smirking slightly.*
Buzz: Good?
*Before Hank could answer his phone rang. He fished it out of his coat pocket and answered. Then he handed it over to Bryan.*
Buzz: Hello?
Gabe: You’re my hero.
Buzz: Er, yes. Hello. Well, you got my message. Or at least some of it.
*Gabe picked up on the connotation.*
Gabe: Brother, you worried that old Hanky might stooge you out for talking to a dirt sheet? Don’t worry about it. I could ruin Brown if I wanted to. Bury him so deep you’d need Robert Ballard to find him.
*Bryan glanced at the oblivious reporter, wondering if his old friend was merely talking tough, or if he really did have enough clout to silence one of the most well-regarded voices in pro wrestling.*
Gabe: Anyway, what you said is fine. We can postpone the story if you want to meet and give your side of it. But I need more than that from you.
Buzz: What is it you want?
Gabe: You to serve as a consultant for the dramatic reenactment.
*For a moment, Worthy was relieved; his initial assumption was that Plonck would try to use the situation as leverage to get him on the Smart Market staff. Then that other shoe dropped right on his head.*
Buzz: I… beg your pardon?
Gabe: Don’t worry, brother: we’re going to keep it strictly PG-13. Well, maybe a soft R, if we can get the women to take their tops off.
*Bryan was shaking his head frantically.*
Buzz: This is, this is a terrible idea. No one wants to see…. that.
Gabe: The Smart Market’s key demographic are males aged 19-34 who are unmarried and still live at home. They’ve been waiting their whole sad lives for a story like this. And you and I are going to give it to them. Right, brother?
*Bryan could have said no. But the truth was, Gabriel was risking getting scooped on this story by agreeing to wait to hear his side of it. Also, if he took part in the creation of the reenactment, perhaps the amount of salaciousness in it could be limited. Or at least the amount of salaciousness actually shown on screen; things did get crazy that night at the Dave & Buster’s. *
Buzz: Yes, of course. I’ll be in touch.
*Then he hung up.*