Deal with the Devil

[Ameronth]

***The scene opens Friday evening in the multi-level indoor parking garage of the PWA Arena. Damion Black exits an executive elevator and steps into the lot. He is wearing a crisp charcoal suit and has a briefcase in his hand. He glances down at the Rolex watch around his wrist and checks the time. He reaches into his pocket and casually pulls out a key fob and presses the button. A cherry red sports car across the way chirps and it's headlights flash. Black heads toward his car and then stops abruptly, as he notices somebody standing by his car staring his way. Black cautiously looks to his left and right, and confirming that he and the stranger are the only two people on that level he slowly approaches his vehicle. As he gets near, the stranger by his car takes a step forward into the overhead fluorescents, revealing himself to be Akira Wyld. Wyld is dressed in casual blue jeans over a navy blue WYLD FAMILY monogramed leather varsity jacket (a PWA Shopstop exclusive). Black sneers as he recognizes Wyld, who gives him a curt nod.***

BLACK: “Akira.”

WYLD: “Damion.”

***Black regards Akira with suspicion, then glances over his surroundings. He speaks cautiously, but without fear.***

BLACK: “A parking garage, no cameras, no witnesses… are you finally giving me my receipt for nearly crippling you in a locker room last year?”

AKIRA: “No... no. I just wanted to talk. It seemed good to do that on neutral ground.”

BLACK: “Next time schedule an appointment with Janice.”

AKIRA: “Call me crazy... but I didn't think it would be in my best interest to give you an opportunity to plan anything creative.”

BLACK: “Touché. Well then, my time is money Akira. Say what you came here to say or step away from my car.”

AKIRA: “You know... I honestly considered our business finished. I made your life a living hell for three seasons. You beat the hell out of me and nearly finished my career. I came back, won the NWC title and put a stop to the Champion's League's six-man championship dreams. After a lifetime of living with a chip on my shoulder... I figured I'd better stop while I could consider the cheque paid. I half expected you to send someone after me or fire me after Warfare... and when you didn’t, I thought maybe we had finally reached an understanding. I figured maybe it was time we both focused on other goals.”

BLACK: “And yet, here you are, wasting my time yet again.”

***Akira narrows his eyes at Damion and takes a step toward him. He grits his teeth... then sighs.***

AKIRA: “Okay, I'll get to the point then. I don't know what put my uncle Aldo in your sights this season, but I want it to stop. Aldo Wyld, the Masked Shooter has been nothing but good for PWA's bottom line since he arrived in this organization. He isn't going to be in this game much longer no matter what you do, and I'd like to see you let him be before this becomes another blood feud neither of our 'families' will be able to walk away from.”

BLACK: “Akira, that sounded suspiciously like a threat.”

AKIRA: “Believe it or not... it wasn’t. Look... if you were going to fire me and the Wyld Family, you would have done it by now. You haven't done that because you know that we are too valuable to PWA to just let go off to some competitor. And frankly, if WE were going to quit PWA for greener pastures, we would have done so by now too. We may not see eye-to-eye with you, but we believe in the company you made. So what I'm saying is... there's no reason to go down this road again. The Masked Shooter has a contract with you and as long as you just let him be, there's no reason for Rebel or Alyssa or Nikki or myself to be a thorn in your side. That's a win for all of us don't you think?”

BLACK: “Just a moment, Akira. First off, don't you ever presume to know what is or isn't best for MY company. Second, my reasons for trying to sideline your uncle may have started because I didn't want his deteriorating health to impact MY company. But the real issue here is that he DEFIED me. And you know better than anybody that I will never EVER let anything like that stand.”

***Akira takes another step toward Damion and raises his finger.***

BLACK: (But... you do have a good point. My hands are constantly busy with running PWA and the last thing I want to sully them with is another pissing contest with you or any of your family. You're right that I can't just fire you without negative impact to PWA’s bottom line, but that doesn't mean firing the Wyld family is the only means at my disposal.”

AKIRA: “And that doesn't have to happen.”

BLACK: “Something to consider. Is that all? Can I move on to important matters that don’t involve you now?”

AKIRA: “Just one more thing. Gary Bloomfield. I want you to rehire him. Your beef was with Aldo. There was no need to make an example of a good man who has been a vital part of PWA.”

BLACK: “Ha ha ha ha ha! Since when have you ever cared what happens to anybody else other than yourself and your family?”

AKIRA: “Maybe I'm trying to do better. Maybe I've learned a thing or two, and maybe I have you to thank for that.”

***Black takes a long look around the parking garage as he thinks about Wyld's offer.***

BLACK: “So… now you're asking me for a favor. Letting Aldo be is one thing... but re-hiring an insubordinate employee who went behind my back to sign a medical liability like your uncle? A liability that could cost me MILLIONS if he has the nerve to die in my ring? That's something else entirely. I'll need to think about this.”

AKIRA: “Okay. Think on it then. But I'm telling you, Gary Bloomfield is an important man to PWA... and to all the wrestlers he signed and worked with. He's got a lot of loyal friends on your roster. You may not be hearing it out loud in the halls... but there's an undercurrent in the locker room. You're going to want to resolve this soon. Just a word of advice from someone who knows you as well as anybody.”

***Black turns and stares at Akira.***

BLACK: “Sage advice from a man who’s never run a company. Regardless, I’ll do you this favor. I agree to your terms. The Masked Shooter can finish out the season, and Gary Bloomfield can have his job back.”

***Akira looks hard at Black.***

AKIRA: “Just like that?”

BLACK: “Of course not, you arrogant prick. You've made me reverse an official edict. I risk losing face, granting you this favor. You owe me.”

AKIRA: “I 'owe' you?”

BLACK: “Certainly. I did what you asked, and now you are in my debt.”

***Akira takes a step back.***

AKIRA: “What kind of favor?”

BLACK: “You'll find out. Just wait for me to call on you, like a trained dog.”

***Akira grits his teeth. Damion Black steps forward and pushes past Akira and opens the door to his car. As he sits down he looks up at Akira and smiles.***

BLACK: “Good doing business with you, Akira.”

***Black slams his door and peels out of the parking spot, forcing Akira to jump aside. The car's engines roar and it speeds off down the spiraled ramp out of the arena. Akira looks on with a troubled look on his face. The scene fades to black.***