Booking Glory-Chapter 126: Test Ship
Todd winced with each chair shot Dacey delivered to Diana’s back.
He really wanted to open up Rob’s head and see what goes on in there. When Rob had told him that he had surprises in store for him, he didn’t expect something of this nature. This segment was beautifully crafted.
That prelude to the attack with the doctor backstage was perfectly set up. This way, the impact of Dacey’s attack on Diana was even higher. Every moment of Rob’s booking was used perfectly. He really loved such storytelling.
He was sure that the crowd in the arena would be cursing out Dacey by now. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to feel such energy in person. Today, he was stuck in his office working on something very important.
Rob’s scoop on Sunday was a literal goldmine. It really pointed him in the right direction. If what he had found out was true, this would be a huge breaking story. This could literally catapult his status several times. He just needed to confirm a few details before breaking this story. And he was close to confirming it as well.
Looking down, he saw the names scribbled down on his notebook and felt goosebumps rising in his arms. He never expected such a big conspiracy to be present when he went digging. Just thinking about it made it hard for him to sleep for the past few days.
Just then, the Chief Editor of Wrestle Reports walked into his office and closed the door. His eyes strayed towards the TV that was showing the LWC show for a moment before turning towards him.
"Anything interesting so far?"
"Dacey just attacked Diana backstage with a sneak attack and started laying into Diana’s back with a chair," Todd smiled and revealed.
"Yikes! That is going to set the crowd into a tizzy for sure," the editor chuckled. "That kid surely knows how to stir things."
"True," Todd agreed and watched his editor closely. He saw something in him that he didn’t like. "You aren’t just dropping by, are you?"
"No, we need to discuss something," the editor sighed.
"From the looks of it, I am guessing that I am not going to like this, am I?" Todd asked wearily.
"Even I am not liking this, Todd. Don’t take it the wrong way," the editor said tiredly.
"Fuck you, Graham!" Todd cursed and switched off his TV. "Now, hit me with it. Let’s get this over with."
"Todd, I am sorry to say this, but we are dropping that piece you are working on. And you need to stop investigating it as well," Graham said, looking serious.
"You got to be kidding me! Motherfucker! Are you listening to what you are saying Graham? You want to drop such a major news? And you are even telling me not to pursue it any more. Have you hit your head somewhere?"
"I am sorry Todd. As much as I would love to give the go-ahead, I can’t. Orders from above. They want us to stop digging into this."
"Bullshit! I am beginning to consider my resignation Graham. This shit is really too much. We can’t report on this, we can’t report on that, if we keep dropping stuff like this every time, why are we even in this job?"
"You can’t tell me you didn’t expect such a thing to happen, Todd. I warned you when you came to me with the scoop," Graham sighed.
"But this is big, Graham. Can you imagine if we break this? Our position in the industry will be secured."
"Exactly, this is too big Todd. We will not be able to handle the heat of the fallout. Not with who is involved."
"Steven Rush can come suck my dick for all I care. I am ready to face the consequences," Todd retorted angrily.
"It is not Steven that is the issue here, Todd."
"You mean..."
"Wagner is not someone to be trifled with. I have heard some stuff. He will ruin both you and me for life. This is not something we can handle," Graham said in a grave tone.
"Come on Graham, two promising companies are near bankruptcy. This isn’t because of mismanagement or some shit like that. This was a clear cut conspiracy that was in the works for years. This is not small stuff."
"Exactly. That’s why I’m asking you to back out now. This stuff is too big. We can’t handle the heat. And the boss won’t allow us to publish this."
"Fuck him! He has been a pain in the ass of late. At this rate, we might just change the name to Wagner Report instead of Wrestle Report."
"I understand your frustration. But, we can’t do anything regarding such things."
"Fuck it, I am quitting. I don’t want to work here anymore. I will go freelance or find some other company. This is stifling me," Todd said irritably.
"Calm the fuck down, Todd. Don’t overreact. Even if you want to resign, now is not the time. The next two months are going to be big. So, stick around for now. Don’t miss out on this," Graham muttered angrily.
Todd shot him a withering look.
"Look," Graham ran his hands through his balding head, "I know this frustrates you. This new change in our paper’s direction," Todd snorted in reply.
"But..." Graham paused as if weighing his words, "but, walking away now is stupidity. Don’t look at me like that, Todd. You have heard the same things I have. You know what Steven and Wagner are doing is big. It will take our industry to places we never dared to hope earlier."
"Do you think our boss doesn’t know how big the matter is? Do you think our boss likes the fact that his newspaper needs to toe the official line? Don’t be stupid. Every newspaper owner has a bit of rebellious blood in them. And they never like falling in line. Especially when the profit margins would look far better if broke sensational news continuously."
"The reason such a situation exists, the reason why our boss is falling in line, the reason why no other newspaper dares to break these sensational news is quite simple. What Wagner and Steven are doing is going to expand this business to unprecedented levels commercially. And that means, the cake is going to get far bigger than what we previously had."
"Right now, everyone in the industry is holding their breath and cheering from the sidelines. They all want to see Wagner and Steven succeed. The true bigshots that run this industry are keeping quiet for this single reason."
"Why do you think no other top tier promotion has made any moves against Wagner and Steven? Are they good samaritans? No, they are all waiting to see if there is more potential to tap in this business. Until Wagner and Steven either prove their vision or fail trying to do so, the real bigshots will not allow anyone to sabotage it."
"Pfft," Todd huffed mockingly. "Then they are all delusional fools. Once Wagner and Steven stabilize their situation, then they will start swallowing up their businesses as well. This is like inviting snakes into their beds. Surely they aren’t that dumb?"
"Not necessarily," Graham shook his head. "If Wagner and Steven indeed prove their vision then there will be a new reshuffle. Many small promotions will be swallowed up. Wagner and Steven will not be the sole behemoths for long."
"However," Graham raised a finger and looked at Todd seriously, "these are things yet to be proven. Right now, the big question on everyone’s mind is, can pro wrestling match up to other sports commercially?"
"So, you are saying that Wagner and Steven are like test ships," Todd asked, stroking his chin.
"Exactly," Graham smirked. "Now, every bigshot in this industry wants to know if this ship can sail safely. So, they are waiting and watching. Until the ship is put to water, they will not allow anyone to sabotage it. Do you understand what I am getting at?"
"I think I get it, but this is all so convoluted. I don’t think they realize how dangerous Steven and Wagner are," Todd shook his head. "So, if I am reading this right, then you mean to say that this situation is only temporary. Once things are settled, we will be back to old grounds."
"That’s my feeling," Graham nodded. "At least that’s what the boss said to me. Also, don’t you want to see if pro wrestling can go to the next level? Don’t tell me you aren’t interested in it."
"Fine," Todd huffed. "I agree that I am interested as well. But, the way they are doing it is really bothering me. Even before they began, they ruined two good promotions. I am really afraid of what they will do once they have stablized."
"You are thinking like a fan. They are thinking like businessmen. So, naturally there are conflicts," Graham rolled his eyes at Todd’s sullen stare. "In my opinion, if pro wrestling can go to the next level, there is no need to worry about small things. Consider these some necessary sacrifices, eh."
"Heh, easy for you to say," Todd sneered in reply. "It is not your company that is going under, is it?"
"And it is not your company either?" Graham retorted. "I get it. This is ugly. But, that is how capitalists operate. Until now, we only had people passionate about the industry becoming owners of a promotion. But, Wagner is different."
Graham paused dramatically to let that sink in.
"Wagner is a pure capitalist. Sure, he may like pro wrestling, but in his eyes, money matters more than passion. He will do everything he can to succeed. No other promotion owner has even had the idea of bringing the wrestling media into their fold. His vision and actions are completely different from others."
"All right, all right," Todd huffed. "I will relent this one time. But, this is the last time. If you ask me to drop one more story because of such reasons, I will walk away."
"Fine, but also remember not to create any waves before this ship sets sail. Be patient for a few months. That is all I am asking out of you," Graham spoke in a relieved tone.
"Fine," Todd rolled his eyes and switched on the TV.
*****
A/N: Hey folks!
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