On Sunday, Rob threw all the worries about LWC’s current situation to the back of his mind and prepared to enjoy his rest. To that effect, he didn’t even check the newspaper.
The past three days have been hectic. Things in the wrestling world have beco quite stressful of late. So, he wanted to decompress for a bit and not worry about them.
His initial plan was to spend so ti with Dacey. However, Dacey had a few things to do in regards to her upcoming film. So, he was left alone to relax in his ho.
Rob was fine with that. In fact, he preferred such a scenario. After the hubbub in the last few days, he really wanted to have so quiet ti and relax.
If he wasn’t afraid of compounding Dacey’s insecurities, he would have called Dacey himself and cancelled all plans. Luckily, Dacey got a last minute call and had to fly to the film studio regarding so costu issues.
And he really did get to enjoy his peace - at least for half a day.
Rob’s peace and quiet was broken by Todd, of all people, at noon.
When the first call ca, Rob saw Todd’s number and promptly ignored it. He thought Todd might be calling to get so inside scoop now that LWC was in turmoil.
Normally, Rob wouldn’t mind providing so small scoops to maintain the relationship, but he wasn’t in the mood currently. Hence, he didn’t bother with it.
But, when the third ring ca, Rob understood that it was unavoidable. His relationship with Todd was just budding and he couldn’t pretend to not see his call when he had already called thrice. Not if he didn’t want Todd to hold a grudge. So, reluctantly, he picked it up.
"Hey Todd, what can I do for you?" Rob asked tiredly.
"Rob, is it true?" Todd’s hushed voice ca from the other end.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don’t play dumb. You must know, right. Now that Robin has gone..."
"Todd, I have no clue what you are talking about?"
"Rob, don’t be stingy. There are whispers out here already. I am just asking."
"Seriously Todd, can’t you just say what it is?"
"Fine. Let’s do it your way. Are there several wrestlers planning to buyout their contracts in LWC?"
Rob didn’t reply imdiately. He knew that such a situation was inevitable. After Robin’s interview ca out yesterday, things were already tense in LWC. Many feared what the consequences will be.
It looked like the effects are already showing.
Did he know that several wrestlers were planning to buyout their contracts? No. He didn’t. But, did he think such a possibility was high? Yes, it was quite high.
He had already known such a thing would happen. But, the developnt speed of this matter was really unexpected.
Right now, Rob had two options.
One, deny any knowledge of such things and damage his relationship with Todd. Two, admit to things and cultivate the relationship with Todd.
Even if Rob was drunk as a skunk he would know what to choose. As for principles about keeping confidentiality and other stuff, Rob didn’t care. Rob knew quite well what it ans to be in the circle. Being too rigid will never make you friends. If he wanted to move up, then he needed friends like Todd who can help him in crucial tis.
However, Rob wasn’t a fool either. He knew he shouldn’t say everything. If he revealed every secret, his end would be miserable. No promotion would hire soone who keeps leaking secrets to reporters.
Even providing scoops should be done artfully.
Neither too little that it arouses dissatisfaction of the reporter nor too much that it hurts the promotion. Things should be done in moderation. So general information that everyone knows and a few specific information that only very few were aware of. That way, the suspicion wouldn’t fall on him and he would still have value in Todd’s mind.
"Rob..." Todd’s voice ca out anxiously.
"I’m still on the line, Todd," Rob said, trying to buy more ti to think of stuff that could be revealed. "You are putting in a difficult position here."
"I know, I know, but you know how this circle is. I don’t have any other credible source apart from you in LWC."
"Heh, don’t joke Todd. I know you have a good rapport with Mr. Gibson. Why don’t you ask him? Wouldn’t he be able to provide you everything?" Rob asked sarcastically.
"I’m not a fool," Todd huffed, laughing lightly.
Indeed, if Todd dared to call Mr. Gibson and ask for scoops in this current situation, Rob can guarantee that Todd wouldn’t get out of bed for months. Mr. Gibson might march directly to his ho and beat him up personally.
"Look, you got to give sothing here..."
"Fine, fine, alright. Look Todd, I am not anywhere close to contract discussions. Robin used to take care of it. Now, it is Mr. Wolfe."
"Even for the won’s division?" Todd asked skeptically.
His skepticism was natural. Usually, bookers were involved in so way or form during contract discussions. But, Rob had a ready-made answer for it.
"Todd, you seem to forget sothing. I’m new to the industry. I only have less than a year under my belt."
"Ah! Right! I completely forgot that."
"So, I am nowhere close to any of that stuff. But, I can tell you so stuff I heard in the hallways."
"That’s enough, that’s more than enough for ," Todd replied enthusiastically.
"Right, here’s what I heard. Robin’s departure was a big blow. No one saw it coming. Even Mr. Gibson. So, the backstage is completely in chaos," Rob decided to go with so well-known stuff.
"That’s expected. You are sure Mr. Gibson didn’t see it coming either?"
"Sure. And I think this piece of information might interest you. It was Steven who recomnded Robin to Mr. Gibson."
"And now Robin has left LWC high and dry to join with Steven and Wagner..." Todd spoke as if he had figured out sothing important.
Rob smirked. He knew that this piece of information was not widely known. Just revealing it would make many people perk up. Reporters, especially, had a keen sense of nose. Give them a hint, they would be like a shark that has slled blood.
"Yeah, and there seems to be so problems with the contracts of wrestlers and other important staff as well. Just like that exit clause in mine," Rob hinted surreptitiously.
"You an..."
"No, I’m not saying anything. I am just telling you what I know. What you do with it is upto you. But, make sure my na isn’t leaked."
"You don’t need to worry about it. I know what to do. So, you are saying that many wrestlers might leave LWC soon, eh?"
"It depends. However, I heard the amount they are asking for is nowhere near their levels. It is as if they know LWC needs to retain them."
"You feel soone tipped them off then," Todd asked excitedly.
"Maybe, but I am not going to na nas."
"Fine, fine..."
"Since they are asking so ridiculous amount, the negotiations aren’t smooth. And I also heard that other promotions have reached out to so wrestlers as well."
"That’s expected. Can you give so nas?"
"Todd, I have been very generous already."
"I understand Rob, but most of the stuff you said is already out there. Just give so nas. I will owe you one."
Rob didn’t reply imdiately. He acted as if he was struggling inside. But, he knew that he had already given enough for Todd to dig deep. So, Rob wasn’t in a hurry to say more.
The silence stretched for a bit.
"Then, how about this?" Todd broke the silence. "Just tell if Diana has been re-signed. Don’t tell you don’t know. I wouldn’t believe it."
"That I can confirm. Diana dropped by my office. We had a discussion on my upcoming plans for her. It lasted for about 30 minutes or so," Rob replied generously.
"Thank God! I really don’t want to see the story you are telling with Diana and Dacey to be dropped. I really like it," Todd let out a sigh. "I heard she also received offers."
"She did, but I was able to convince her to give my booking a shot," Rob said smugly.
He knew that many fans were eager to see how this storyline progresses. It was Rob’s way of ensuring that the interest in LWC’s won’s division didn’t wane.
"That’s good. That’s good," Todd replied in relief. "What about Marie?"
"Negotiations are ongoing," Rob replied. "But she hasn’t dropped by my office yet."
"That ans..."
"I’m not sure either. We will see."
"What about Mark? You should have heard sothing, right? Can you atleast give a hint?"
"Todd... sigh! Alright, but this is all I am willing to share. Don’t ask for more. Until this year’s end, Mark’s appearance is confird. But after that, it is up in the air," Rob replied
"So, he hasn’t re-signed yet. I an, his contract was till the end of the year. At least, that’s what I heard," Todd probed.
"No comnts..." Rob replied, not falling for the probe.
"Alright, alright. I won’t ask anything more. But, can you give a scoop on what you have in store for Dacey and Diana this week? I am asking this as a fan."
"But, you will still report. I know you well, Todd," Rob chuckled.
"Co on. Give sothing here," Todd chuckled and asked shalessly.
"All I will say is that you shouldn’t miss out next two weeks. I have planned so shockers for them," Rob chuckled.
"You bastard, can’t you give a hint?" Todd cursed.
"Ha ha ha, no way. That will ruin the surprise," Rob laughed.
"Tch, keep your suspense then. If I don’t like the surprise, I am going to call back and curse you."
"Ha ha ha, don’t worry. I am sure you will like them," Rob assured.
After chatting for a bit more, Rob cut Todd’s call and exhaled a sigh of relief. He already understood the current situation clearly. LWC’s decline was inevitable. Right now, what he needed to do was to keep the won’s division relevant amidst the turmoil.
Once this storm blows over, that will be when his opportunity cos. If he kept the won’s division relevant through this turmoil, then there was a chance for Mr. Gibson to see his talent and give more booking power. Until then, he just needs to hang in there.
*****
A/N: Hey folks!
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