Power Struggle
Written by Lady Cat
Chapter 22
Phoenix decided to stop by the school and check on her friends before leaving
town. She had a feeling they hadn’t gone home alone. She arrived to see them
yawning, each with a big mug of coffee, and began laughing. “Well now, I can’t
have my staff keeping late hours now.”
“Sorry ‘bout that,” Jade said sleepily.
Phoenix shook her head. “You three really had a ‘good” time.” The girls all
smiled. “I guess I’m going to have to talk to them,” she teased.
“Don’t do that!” Judi said quickly.
“I’m only teasing. Of Course when I see them I’ll really know. I’d better get
going. I’ll call to check on you later.”
Phoenix left to get on her bike when Betty stopped her. “When are you going to
stop this charade and be completely honest? Are you ashamed of who you are?”
“No, Betty, I’m not. I just feel that things would be better if they didn’t
know,” she replied.
“Okay, it’s your life,” Betty said with skepticism. “What about him?”
“Betty, he’s going with someone.”
“Yeah, I saw him last night too, but that doesn’t mean it’s serious. You are
not an ugly woman, so why not go for it.”
“Phoenix took a deep breath. “I’ll think about it. I’d better get going or I’ll
never make it. See ya.” Phoenix waved as she took off.
IN A HOTEL ACROSS TOWN
Sable poked Lesnar in the ribs. “Hey, get your ass up. “
Lesnar mumbled. “That’s a hell of a way to wake a guy up.”
“I want you out of here. I got things to do. You’ll only be in the way.”
Lesnar put his arm over her and went to kiss her. She pushed him roughly away
and got up. “Uh uh. Once is all you or any of the others get at one time, lover
boy,” she sneered. “When I want you again, I’ll let you know. Now get dressed
and beat it.”
Lesnar scowled as he got up and put on his clothes. “I may not always be around
when you can’t get anyone else,”
Sable laughed as he slammed it behind him. She picked up the phone and dialed.
“Hi, Vinny baby,” she cooed.
“It’s about damn time you called!” He yelled. “What the hell have you been
doing, as if I can’t guess”
“Don’t you yell at me,” Sable warned, “Besides, I’ve been doing what I’m
supposed to do.”
“Yeah, I believe that like pigs can fly,” Vince retorted.
“There’s nothing to report,” she said through clenched teeth.
“What do you mean, nothing to report?”
“Exactly that, nothing. The show is doing well. I’ve heard no complaints from
anyone.”
“And what are Bischoff and Heyman doing?”
After the last fiasco by Bischoff, both of them have pretty much followed her
lead.”
“Figures,” he sneered.
“There might be one thing of interest. She told your boy Trips that he no
longer had a sayso in the scripts unless he ran it by her first. The writers
were told the same thing as well. It was said by her that he would defend the
title whenever and wherever she decided. You could hear him swearing in the
hallway. He even talked to your wife, who backed her up.”
“Just keep your eyes and ears open for anything,” he said.
“Yes, Vinny dear,” she said and hung up. “You old bastard, when I get through,
you won’t have a thing to lean on.”
She thought about Lesnar. “He’s young,” she thought,” And naïve enough that he
would do just about anything if he thought it would get him ahead. And being
Vinny’s pride and joy, it just might work to my advantage in getting rid of
her,” she sneered.
Chapter 23
The transformation of Phoenix began gradually over the next few weeks. It
wasn't flashy, just something subtle such as a new blouse here, shoes there,
and a slight change in make-up.
It wasn't until a month or so later than many began noticing the changes in Phoenix.
Several of the Divas gave her compliments on her new look, which somewhat
surprised her. The men too began noticing the change, watching her as she
walked by. One in particular noticed.
Sable, was her usual self, and sneered at what she called Phoenix's attempts to
look like a human being. "They have to be blind to look at her. Nothing
she can do would help her. She'll never be beautiful as me!" The Divas
usually paid no attention to Sable or her cutting comments, having developed a
deaf ear, but this time, they had had enough. Victoria, in particular, took all
she could. "Sable, everyone knows you're all plastic and implants. You're
fooling no one." Sable pushed Victoria against the wall and let fly with a
loud slap. Victoria's eyes became slits and retaliated with a right to Sable's
left eye.
Like alley cats, the two tore into each other - pulling hair, clothes,
scratching each other, and tearing up the locker room. The noise began
attracting others outside the locker room. One of the staff rushed to Phoenix's
office.
Linda had popped in for a visit to announce the end-of-the-year banquet, which
was held at the WWE offices. "Phoenix, I have to compliment you. You look
wonderful."
"Thanks, Linda. It was time for a change, and I needed to look more like a
boss than one of the crew," Phoenix smiled. At that moment, the door burst
open. "There's a fight in the women's locker room!"
"Who?"
"Sable and Victoria."
"I'll be back shortly," Phoenix said and left.
"Get out of the way!" Phoenix yelled as she pushed her way through
and entered the door.
Both women now had practically torn their clothes to shred and were rolling on
the floor. Phoenix Victoria off Sable. "That's enough!" she yelled,
getting in between the two. She gave the other Divas a stern look. "Why
didn't the rest of you try to stop it?" No one answered. "You two in
my office in five minutes. Be sure to come in decent!" Phoenix found
everyone still outside. "What's everyone standing around for? It's over!
Now get back to whatever you were doing!"
Phoenix came back miffed. "What?" Linda asked.
"They were rolling on the floor when I got there. I had to pulled Victoria
off Sable and get in between them."
Linda grinned slightly. "Good enough for her."
"Maybe so, but I won't have fighting in the back," Phoenix said
angrily. "They're on their way here." She drummed her fingers on the
desk. "That idea you had about a women's royal rumble just might be the
thing. No T and A, just straight out wrestling, with the women's belt as the
prize."
"What about you? Why don't you enter the rumble?" Linda asked.
Phoenix looked at Linda as if she had lost her mind. "Uh Uh, no way!"
she shook her head emphatically.
"Why not? You've done this charade long enough. I say it's time to let
them know who you really are."
Before Phoenix could speak, there was a knock. Linda quickly got behind a
corner partition. "Come in," Phoenix said.
The two combatants came in. Sable had an ice pack over her left eye, her lips
snarled. "Alright, who started it?" Phoenix demanded.
"She did," Sable replied, pointing at Victoria.
"Lying bitch!" Victoria screamed and went to grab her throat. Phoenix
got in between them again. "Hold it!" she ordered. "Now, what
was it about?"
"She started it," Victoria said. "The rest of us were
complimenting you on how you had changed. She kept making remarks on how
nothing could make you look better. Most of us had had enough of her constant
snide remarks, so I said everyone knows you're nothing more than plastic and
implants. That's when she pushed me against the wall and slapped me. I gave her
a right to the left eye."
Phoenix pursed her lips to keep from laughing about the plastic and implants,
and quickly set her lips in a grim line. "I don't care who said or did
what. I won't have fights in the locker room or anywhere else. Any more
disturbances like this and some serious reconsideration of contracts just might
be sooner than expected. Victoria, tell the others I want to talk with them in
five minutes, and I expect to see the locker room straightened up."
"Is that all?" Sable sneered.
"For Victoria, she can leave, but you stay."
Victoria left. Phoenix sat in her chair. "As for you, you've been asking
for trouble for a long time. I could suspend you without pay for this but
that's not good enough. Right now, until I've thought of something, you are to
keep your mouth shut in the locker room, or anywhere else as a matter of
fact."
"Is that all?" Sable sneered.
"Yes," Phoenix replied. Sable slammed the door on her way out.
Chapter 24
Linda stepped out from behind the partition. “She is going to cause more
trouble, I can feel it.”
“I know,” Phoenix sighed. “But for now that’s about all I can do.”
“Enough of her, back to you. Why don’t you want to be in the royal rumble?”
“Linda, it’s been ten years since I’ve stepped in the ring. That’s a lot of
ring rust to overcome. And I’m not exactly a spring chicken either.”
Linda shook her head. “I’m not convinced. You are in excellent shape. The day I
saw you you were inside the ring doing some pretty good moves for one that’s
not a ‘spring chicken.’ I didn’t notice any ring rust there.”
“Well, it would be a bit biased to have the manager in there as she/he would be
expected to win.”
“Oh, come on. Steph’s done matches like this, and so has Vince, and they didn’t
always win. What’s the real reason?”
Phoenix fidgeted. “I can’t tell you,” she said softly. “It’s too….”
“Try me. You never did say why you quit wrestling.”
Phoenix kept fidgeting, then finally broke down. “Okay. It was a title match. I
and the other woman were going at it. For some reason, she wasn’t following the
script and wrestled like a demon had possessed her. She and I had had matches
before, but they were nothing this intense. She was pulling no punches, and
with my Indian-Irish mix, well, my temper had gotten the best of me. I had her
in my dad’s finishing move a littler harder than I normally did. She screamed
and screamed. I finally let go. When I got up, she had passed out. The EMT’s
were called out and rushed her to the hospital. She died later that night. The
promoter hushed it up, saying the girl went on sick leave. I quit right after
that.”
“Did they ever tell you how she died?”
“I was told later she had died from a hemorrhage on the brain,” Phoenix said.
“I’ve not done it to this day, and I can’t get in the ring now. Who knows who I
would kill next.” Phoenix put her face in her hand. “If you like, I’ll turn in
my resignation.”
,br> “Phoenix, look at me.”
Phoenix lifted her head.
“Now why would I want your resignation? I wouldn’t accept it. For your
information, I already know all about it,” Linda said.
“What?”
“I already knew about it. I did a thorough background check and found out about
the incident. I had the hospital records checked out and found out who her
doctor was. You did not cause her death. Unknown to the promoter and to you,
she had been to see her doctor because they had found a blood clot located
right at the base of the brain. The doctor told her she had to quit wrestling
or else she might end up paralyzed or dead. She never told the promoter about
her visit to the doctor or her condition. There was no way you or anyone knew.
Now stop blaming yourself.”
“I don’t know.”
“Think about it. You have until WM, three and a half months from now.”
“Okay,” Phoenix nodded. “Well, better get to the locker room and make that
announcement.” She went to leave. “Oh, can I bring guests to the banquet?”
Linda smiled. “Sure.”
“Thanks. I know my guests will be very happy and anxious.”
“Oh?”
“They have a liking for three certain men who happen to work for the company.”
Linda laughed. “What about you?”
Phoenix blushed. “I had better get to the meeting.”
The Divas waited in the locker room. Sable stood in the corner, the ice pack
over her eye. “That damn witch!” she thought to herself. The room became quiet
when Phoenix entered. Many were bracing themselves for a tirade about the
fight.
“I have just met with Linda. It seems there is to be a women’s royal rumble at
WM. This is not a gimmick match or T and A. This is a straight out wrestling
match with the women’s title up for grabs.”
“All of us?”
“Yes, all of you. Now I know there are some of you that don’t have a lot of
in-ring experience. I will be making arrangements for you to go to a wrestling
school I found. The trainers there are all experienced and tough. They cut no
slack. When they’re through with you, you’ll know your stuff.”
“What about you?” sneered a voice from the corner.
Phoenix looked at Sable. “What about me?”
“Aren’t you going to enter, or are you afraid?”
“I’ll put it to you this way, I’ll think about it. As for what happened in
here, I’ll tell you as I told Sable and Victoria, any trouble of any kind, and
contracts will be up for reconsideration sooner than may be expected, and could
end up in possible termination. That’s all.”
As soon as Phoenix left, the Divas cornered Sable. “It’s going to be a pleasure
to throw you out of the ring first,” Victoria said menacingly.
Sable snorted and left the locker room.
Chapter 25
“Hey!” Glen called to Phoenix.
“What?”
“Now Glen, you know that is between manager and employee,” she replied.
“Okay, no more questions. By the way, I compliment you on your new look.”
“Thank you,” Phoenix replied, a bit surprised.
“Whether you know it or not, several of the other wrestlers have noticed also.”
“Oh?” she arched her brows, wondering if a certain one among them noticed also.
“I take it that’s a good sign.”
Glen grinned and nodded.
Phoenix blushed. “Perhaps you should save that for Judi, who, along with Betty
and Jade, will be coming to the banquet.” She turned to leave but stopped.
“When I last spoke to her you left quite an impression with her,” she chuckled.
It was Glen’s turn to blush. “She left quite an impression with me also.”
“Of course, she wasn’t the only one. Betty and Jade were impressed with their
dates as well,” Phoenix giggled and left for the locker room.
Phoenix and Glen were being watched from the end of the hall with interest,
especially when they laughed. Like the rest of the locker room, he had also
seen the gradual change and the reaction of the wrestlers. Again, his eye began
twitching. He turned and walked away.
IN ANOTHER PART OF THE ARENA
“What the hell happened to you?” Heyman laughed.
“Oh, shut the fuck up!” Sable snorted, the ice bag over her eye. “If you must
know, Victoria and I got in a fight about that… that… thing!”
“Oh,” Heyman nodded knowingly.
“All the girls were going on about how she had changed. I just said she’d never
be as good looking as me. To which Victoria replied I was nothing but plastic
and implants.” Heyman chuckled, which made Sable grit her teeth. “I slapped her
and she hit me, and the fight was on.”
“And you two were called on the carpet.”
“She as much said we’d be fired if it happened again.”
“So that’s why I saw everyone milling about outside the locker room.”
“Then that dog-faced thing said that at Wrestlemania there would be a women’s
royal rumble. Everyone female is to be in it. For those that haven’t had much
wrestling experience, she’s sending them to a school she knows about for
training.”
“Are you one of the ones going?”
“I know how!” she snipped. “I asked if she was entering or was she afraid. I never
really got an answer. After she left, Victoria got in my face and said it was
going to be fun to kick me out of the ring first. Bitch! She’ll be the first
one to go.”
“Did the boss say anything else?”
“Only that I was walking on thin ice.”
Heyman chuckled.
Sable raised her hand to slap him but he caught it in mid-air. “Don’t ever do
that to me,” he said menacingly.
“See what that witch is doing? She has us fighting among ourselves. She has got
to go!”
“Have you heard from Bischoff?”
“No! That kiss-ass weasel is doing nothing!”
“I have some contacts that owe me some favors. I’ll have them see what they can
dig up.”
‘Well, get it here by Wrestlemania. That will be perfect.”
Chapter 26
Linda made sure Phoenix was gone, then got on the phone. After a couple of
rings, Judi answered. “Austin Wrestling Academy.”
“I would like to speak to Betty please. This is Linda McMahon.”
“Oh, Mrs. McMahon. Yes, I’ll let her know.”
After a minute or so, Betty picks up. “Yes, Mrs. McMahon.”
“Betty, I need you to do something, but you can’t tell Phoenix.”
“What does it concern?”
“You promise you won’t tell?”
“I won’t”
“Do you know where Phoenix keeps her wrestling costume? I need you to send it
to me as soon as you can.”
“Well…,” Betty hesitated. “I’m not sure where it is, if it’s here or at her
house. Just out of curiosity, why?”
“There’s to be a women’s Royal Rumble at the next Wrestlemania. I want her in
it, but she refuses. I plan on working on getting her to enter and having it
here just might make her change her mind.”
“I’ll check here and at her house since she has me look in from time to time.”
“I need to get it before Christmas.”
Betty took a deep breath. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good. Just remember she is to know nothing about it.”
“I promise I won’t tell.”
Betty hung up. Jade came in and saw Betty with a puzzled look. “Who was that?”
“That was Linda McMahon. Seems she wants me to find Phoenix’s wrestling costume
and get it to her before Christmas. Without Phoenix knowing.”
“Let me guess. She’s going to persuade her to wrestle again,” Jade said.
Betty nodded. “At the next Wrestlemania.”
“The one we’re training some of the divas for,” Jade said. “Do you think she’ll
do it?”
“I don’t know,” Betty shook her head. “I can hear her giving all sorts of
excuses, but the right one.”
“What right one?” Judi asked. “I must have missed out on something.”
Betty told her the whole story of why Phoenix left.
“I see,” Judi nodded.
“The divas will be coming here right after the Christmas party so we had better
get going,” Betty said, looking around. “Just in case we have a couple of
snoopers, we’ll have to hide everything that pertains to Phoenix and tell Holly
and Snow not to say a word.”
Chapter 27
NIGHT OF THE PARTY – FOUR DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
As was the usual, management stood at the door and greeted the wrestlers and their guests. Phoenix was at the door with Linda when Sable and her date, Lesnar, arrived. Neither bothered to shake hands with Linda or Phoenix, which didn’t bother them any. Sable and Lesnar went from table to table. Sable seeing whom was with whom. Of course, she gave the air of being far better dressed than any of the women there, which irked some and others paid no attention. She saw Nash, Dwayne, and Glen seated and sashayed over to them. Phoenix noticed Sable going over to the table and excused herself. “Well, I see you three managed to find something to bring to the banquet tonight,” she sneered. “I would have thought, though, you could have done better than that.” The girls, especially Jade, clinched their fists. Nash patted Jade’s arm. “For your information,” Dwayne said. “We have the best looking women here.” “Is that what you call them?” Judi went to get up, but Glen held her down. “Don’t pay any attention to her. They have a name for someone like her, but I want to be polite tonight and not say it.” Lesnar went to grab at Glen. All three men stood up. “I don’t think you’re that crazy to try and take all three of us on, are you?” Nash scoffed. “Take your toy-boy elsewhere before he’s carried out of here.” “That’s enough,” Phoenix said. “Sit down. I’ll take care of this.” She turned to Sable and Lesnar. “It would be wise if the two of you go somewhere and chill. You’ve already made spectacles of yourselves,” she said in Sable’s face. “And I would suggest you not bother anyone for the rest of the evening, especially my friends. Understand?” she emphasized. “As for your date, if he has any brains, he just might want to reconsider the ‘company’ he keeps.” Sable left in a huff, dragging Lesnar to a table in the back part of the banquet room. “This isn’t over by a long shot!” she hissed. Phoenix watched as they left, then sat. “I apologize girls. But, that’s basically what she does, when she has the chance.” “Hmph! One minute more and I would have pulled her hair out!” Jade fumed. “The only thing you would have pulled out would have been a handful of hair pieces,” Betty snickered. Everyone laughed. “I suppose I should get back to the door,” Phoenix sighed and left. After Phoenix was out of earshot, Judi spoke. “When is she going to punch that cow’s lights out?” “I wonder about that myself,” Betty said. “It’s amazing how she’s held her temper this long.” “She has a temper?” Dwayne cocked his brow. “Yes she does. A combination of Sioux and Irish. And when she let’s go, she let’s go.” “You alright?” Linda asked concerned. Phoenix nodded. “I think our problem is taken care of, at least for tonight.” Mark entered with his date. Phoenix did a soft gasp when she saw him. “God, how good he looks,” she thought to herself and then got herself together. When they entered, Phoenix took his hand. For a few brief seconds their eyes held. She let his hand go and watched as the two went to their table.
Chapter 28
The banquet continued without further incident, although Phoenix could
feel daggers being shot at her from Sable's talbe. After the usual speeches
etc., everyone adjourned across the hall to a large room which was set for
dancing. Immediately, Dwayne, Nash, and Glen swisked their dates to the dance
floor, while Phoenix sat at a table. She hadn't sat long when she was asked to
dance.
As the evening wore on, Phoenix was dancing more than watching. The band took a
five-minute break. Phoenix sat to catch her breath. "Whoo! I hadn't danced
this much in a long time! It feels good to take a breather!" she sighed,
sipping her drink.
Betty smiled. "I would say you need a breather. You've been very popular
tonight. One would think you were Ginger Rogers."
Phoenix snickered. "Please, I don't think so. Besides, it's a company
party. What else?"
The bank was came back out. She felt a tap on her shoulder. "May I?"
It was Bradshaw.
"Here I go," Phoenix said getting up.
The other couples sat at the table. "I think I'll sit this tun out,"
Jade said, fanning herself.
"Would you care for something to drink?" Nash asked.
"Please, that would be nice."
Nash got up and left as Dwayne took Betty back to the dance floor. Jade looked
around to see Sable watching. "Uh oh, look at whose watching
Phoenix." Judi turned in the direction Jade nodded. "I see,"
said said. "She hasn't stopped watching her all night," Jade said.
"What is it with that thing?"
"Who kows. Could be jealousy. For once she isn't the center of
attention," Judi commented. "And she can't stand someone outdoing her."
On the dance floor, Phoenix noticed Mark and his date across the room, seeing
how close his date had pressed herself against him. Chiding herself, she turned
her attention back to Bradshaw. All evening she had wondered if he would ever
come over and ask. She realized any chance of him asking was gone.
Mark was doing his best to keep his mind on his date. All evening he had
watched her dancing with every wrestler. Everytime he went to ask someone was
already ahead of him. His date looked up to see him looking elsewhere. She
looked in the direction his eyes were. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing," he replied quickly, turning his attention to her.
"Can we leave early?" she asked softly. "I want to go back to
the hotel, if you know what I mean."
Mark knew exactly what she meant, but was not ready to leave, nor was he in the
mood. When the music ended, he walked her back to the table and then excused
himself, saying he would be back shortly. Bradshaw escorted Phoeenix back to
her table and then sat next ot her. Mark saw how close Bradshaw was sitting
next to her. Then a familiar twitch began in the corner of his eye.
"Damn!" he thought. "What the hell's wrong with me?"
Phoenix looked at her watch. it was going on ealry morning. "Hey, I ate to
be rude, but I have to get going. I have an early flight to cach back."
She got up. "I'll see you girls when you get back.. that is if you
do," she smiled wickedly.
"Mind if I take you back to the hotel?" Bradshaw asked.
Phoneix nodded.
Mark had just ordered a drink from the bar and was sipping when he turned to
see Phoenix at the door with her coat, saying good-bye to LInda, and then leaving
with Bradshaw.
Chapter 29
Phoenix spent the holidays alone, catching up on personal business and mainly staying in bed. Betty called to see if she would like to come over for Christmas, but Phoenix politely said no, saying maybe next time. Two days later she flew to corporate headquarters to meet with Linda and finalize the details on the women's royal rumble. Phoenix was given envelopes, each containing a letter, which was to be given to those that were to attend the wrestling academy for training. As she looked through, she noticed the name on the last one. She looked at Linda as if she had lost her mind. "Yes, she has to go as well," Linda said. "Although she has some ring experience, it's just been too long to take any chances. And after what she did the last time, I don't want to face any more legal suits. The less chance we give her, the better it is for the company," Linda added. "I remember reading that, but are you sure you want my girls to waste their time with her?" Phoenix asked. "When she reads this, the shit will fly." "I know, I know." Phoenix flew back to Austin to finalize the preparations and inform her friends to be prepared. "Oh great!" Jade threw up her hands. "I'll be lucky if I don't punch her lights out before this is over with." Phoenix giggled. "You're not the only one. Just remember, I'll be the first one she'll throw a tantrum at." "We'll get her in line," Betty said. "Of course, we could feed her to Holly." At that the girls laughed. Phoenix got up slowly. "Good luck girls." She looked around the office. "I see you've got everything put away that concerns me." "Just like you wanted," Judi said. "And if Miss Thing tries to snoop around, well, I won't say." Phoenix smiled. "Good. Well, time for me to head out. We're doing a house show in LA tomorrow." Betty followed Phoenix out the door. "I have a little something to tell you." "Oh?" Phoenix stopped. "It has to do with the Christmas party. It seems a certain someone was eyeing you all night." Phoenix had an idea who she was talking about. "Out of curiosity, what was his expression?" "Well, lets say when you left with Bradshaw, he wasn't exactly smiling." "I don't see why he should be so concerned. After all, he is occupied." Phoenix looked at her watch. "Besides, I thought about it over the holidays and have made up my mind that it's best to put him out of my mind and concentrate on business. I have to go. I'll call in a few weeks to see how things are." Betty returned to the office. Jade was drumming her fingers. "What is it?" Betty asked. "The thought of that tramp here," she replied, gritting her teeth. The phone rang. Judi answered, giving the phone to Betty. "It's for you." "This is Betty. Oh, Mrs. McMahon." "I wanted to thank you for getting Phoenix's outfit to me so fast." "No problem. Is there anything else we can do for you?" "No doubt you've been told who one of your trainees will be?" "Oh yes, she informed us. I can tell you, none of us are too thrilled." "I can imagine. Well, I called to add a little more to that, and I'll be sending a written copy for your records. Essentially the letter will say that you have full authority to deal with any situation that arises as you see fit." Betty caught her drift, a big grin appearing on her face. "Thank you very much. Is there anything else we can do?" "No. You have your hands full for now." "Thank you for calling." Betty hung up. "What's with the big grin?" Judi asked. "Oh, something concerning one of our trainees. Mrs. McMahon will be sending a letter which will give us full authority to deal with any situation that arises as we see fit." The girls looked at one another and broke out in big smiles. "I can hardly wait," Jade said gleefully, rubbing her hands in anticipation.
Chapter 30
As soon as Phoenix arrived in LA, she drove to the stadium. Spotting one of the stage crew, she gave him a list of the girls she wanted to see in her office. All the girls, except Sable, were in her office in less than 10 minutes. Upon being told that the boss wanted to see her, Sable flipped him off and went on talking to Heyman and Bischoff. “No, they haven’t found anything yet,” Heyman told her. “Well, get their asses going! Wrestlemania will be here in less than three months. I want that information now!” she told him angrily. “I plan to have Vinny here when I reveal everything. That should get him to get the ball rolling and get Linda out as well.” She looked at Bischoff. “No sense in asking you anything. You’re too busy following her lead to be of any use.” Bischoff gritted his teeth. “At least I’ll be employed because if she or Linda ever finds out what you two are up to….” “She won’t, unless a certain person decides to rat on us.” “Don’t push me to the point that it just might happen to ‘slip’ out, so to speak.” “If we go down, you’re going down with us,” Heyman sneered. Phoenix handed out the letters, noticing Sable’s absence. “You leave two days after New Year’s. It is intended that the training take at least 2 ½ months. As for living accommodations, there are dorm rooms on the premises. I checked them out and you should be quite comfortable there. You will be responsible for your own meals and any other expenses you incur. Are there any other questions?” There were none. “Good. You have the rest of the time off until January 3. See you when you get back.” She took the last letter and headed down the hallway to the lounge. None of the three saw her enter until a white envelope caught their attention. Sable looked up. “Well, if it isn’t the three stooges,” Phoenix snickered. “In case you’re wondering, this letter is for you,” she said to Sable and walked away. Phoenix hadn’t gotten far when she heard Sable’s voice screaming. “What the fuckin’ hell do you think you’re doing? I am not going anywhere to be trained!” “That particular aspect is not negotiable. It was felt that since it has been quite sometime since you’ve done any wrestling, a little retraining would get rid of any ring rust.” “I am not rusty!” “You know, maybe you really shouldn’t be, with all the wrestling you’ve done in bed from what I understand. But no matter, you’re going.” Phoenix walked away. Sable grabbled her arm and turned her around. “I would watch doing that if I were you. I may not say much, but that’s when I’m at my most dangerous.” Sable backed up a step, seeing how Phoenix’s dark eyes shone. Phoenix continued down the hallway, knowing Sable was cursing under her breath. She let out a ragged breath. Now to take care of another problem, Lesnar, who lately had been causing trouble in the men’s locker room. She had a hunch from what he was saying that Sable was behind this, but who knew. She found him in the workout room. “Lesnar, I need to see you, now.” Lesnar dropped the weights, the noise sounding as if they were going through the floor. Picking up his towel he followed her outside. “For the past few weeks, you’ve been complaining you don’t like losing to the more established wrestlers, especially Taker, whom you have a cage match with at the next ppv. If you change the outcome in anyway, your shower time will be seriously downsized, which could result in your push being put on the back burner.” Lesnar stopped wiping himself and stepped closer, forcing Phoenix back against the wall. “Is that a threat? Because nobody tells me what I will or will not do.” “This is no threat,” she replied calmly. Lesnar sneered. “You don’t scare very easily, do you?” Phoenix smiled. “I have found that people like you are all loud talk. Now, please go shower, you stink.” Lesnar mumbled angrily as he stormed to the showers, muttering explicatives and slamming the shower door as hard as he could. He had just taken his t-shirt off when he heard the door open and saw Mark enter, closing it after him. “What do you want?” Lesnar scowled. “I happened to watch the exchange between you and Phoenix.” “So, what if it? That’s none of your business.” Mark got in his face. “I’m making it my business,” he growled. “Lay one hand on her or threaten her, you and I will have a private match.”
Chapter 31
The wrestlers had a New Year's Eve party after the show in Denver. Phoenix chose not to go, chuckling to herself that someone had to remain sober or at least be in their right mind afterward. She had finished doing some paperwork and was getting ready to watch some TV when there was a loud rap on the door. "Please, don't let that be the manager already." She opened the door to see Glen and Dwayne standing there. She started giggling at seeing Glen, who was wearing a much too small party hat tilted to one side, blowing a tickler at her. "Hey, come on up for the party," Dwayne said. Phoenix was still giggling at Glen. "Do you realize just how silly you look?" "So? We have to loosen up," Glen said, blowing the tickler at her again. "I think you're loose enough for the both of us," she said. "I had already told them I wasn't coming." "We were told to bring you up there. Even if we had to carry you," Dwayne said. Phoenix arched her brows. "And who ordered that?" "Betty," Dwayne replied. Glen punched Dwayne in the arm. "Big mouth!" Phoenix understood. "Thanks fellas but no. Someone has to be in their right mind when you guys sober up," she said, giving them a gentle shove. "Now go have some fun." She closed the door, laughing as Glen was chiding Dwayne for blabbing. She sat on the bed and dialed Betty's number. "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Phoenix could hear Jade and Judi in the background asking who it was, then yelling when Betty told them. "Hey, how are you enjoying the party?" Betty asked. "I'm not at the party," Phoenix replied. "I'm here in my room. I just sent Glen and Dwayne away." "That big mouth," Betty mumbled. "Wait till he gets here." "Don't be hard on him, and as I told the both of them, someone has to be in their right mind when this ground sobers up," she said. "Ready for your new arrivals?" "About as ready as we'll get. We should have no problems." "Good. I'll let you go. I'll be calling in about a couple of weeks to see how things are." Phoenix hung up. "Betty, you're a good friend, but please, don't do that again," she whispered to herself, then grinned. "Where's the boss?" Nash asked when they returned. "She's not coming," Dwayne replied. "Not even when we threatened to carry her up here." "Yeah, big mouth blabbed it was Betty's idea," Glen said. "Now what?" "Just leave it alone," Dwayne said. Mark was sitting in one of the chairs sipping his beer. He had half expected her to be there. Ever since she had returned from their short Christmas break she avoided him. He wondered had he done anything wrong, but couldn't figure out what it could have been. He finished the last of the can and got up to leave. He wished everyone a Happy New Year and left. He thought about stopping at her room, but thought it best not.
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