The Prophet's Plan

Gamal locked her office door and walked down some stairs to the area where the rings are. The coaches and various other staff were gathered there,

"Well done, everyone. Today was a success. Enjoy the rest of your day and travel safely," She said while scanning the room, before frowning, "Where is Thompson?"

The guard who was stationed at the door spoke up with a measure of hesitance, "Ma'am, I'm sorry he... He left,"

That earned several shaking heads. Gamal's eyelids drooped,

"I see," She said.

(This nonsense has to stop.)

Her phone suddenly rang. She quickly dismissed everyone and answered,

"Um... Mrs Gamal. I-It's Suzanna. I want to join PSW,"

Gamal's eyes lit up, "That is fantastic news, Suzanna. I'll have a contract e-mailed to you before the day's end. I recommend coming in tomorrow around noon so that we can properly discuss all aspects of your signing,"

"Okay. Thank you, Ma'am. I hope I don't disappoint,"

"As do I,"

She hung up the phone and began to chuckle mischievously which did not escape the attention of the coaches.

"What is she plotting?" Tonye asked,

Daniel shook his head and left, "Tomorrow's problem. See you,"

"Bye, Daniel," Alexa said, as Gamal stopped chuckling and came their way with her previous professional demeanour. It was always frightening how quickly this woman could from 0 to 100 and back when it came to her personality.

"Good news?" Tonye asked,

"Indeed. All five of the candidates will be receiving probationary contracts,"

"That's great!" Alexa rejoiced, before frowning with concern "Why were you chuckling like that?"

"Because I may have a solution to the Thompson problem?" Gamal said, pressing both sets of fingers against each other.

Tonye's expression became grave,

"With all due respect, if the solution isn't getting rid of him, I advise against it," He frowned, "Especially if it involves one of those rookies,"

Alexa nodded in firm agreement, "He's way more trouble than he's worth,"

"Perhaps..." Gamal mused, "But we house far worse,"

"Personality-wise? Absolutely," Tonye conceded, "But everyone else at least acts like they want to be here. Thompson doesn't and he's been making it everyone's problem for months,"

Alexa once again nodded.

Gamal hummed. She did not believe that to be true. Passion for the business was something she had trained herself to detect in others and she was very rarely wrong, but perhaps this was one of those times.

"I will take your concerns under advisement," She responded.

"So what are you planning?" Tonye asked,

"I am unable to discuss it at this time, Mr Carrera," She said dismissively as she walked past, "Good day to you both,"

"I hate when she does that," Tonye said, before heading out, "Take care, Alexa,"

"You too!" Alexa replied with a wave.

The next morning before heading out, Suzanna and Sarah were reading the contract Gamal had sent her in the living room. Suzanna had a towel over her head from being splashed with ice-cold water to wake her up. The top of her shirt was still wet.

Sarah made it a point to make sure they understood all the terms of the agreement.

She wanted to make sure Suzanna followed the rules and wasn't taken advantage of.

The contract was a 12-week probationary offer with the following stipulations.

1. The incoming rookie is expected to show significant improvement in areas such as in-ring ability, cutting promos, gimmicks and connecting with the audience when they are called upon to work in front of live crowds.

2. If deemed necessary by management, the rookie will be assigned a manager, partner or both to aid in their development.

3. The rookie will receive 450 Hedso per live performance. This is non-negotiable during the probational period.

4. If the rookie has shown significant improvement during the probational period they will be given full-time contracts with negotiable rates and benefits based on a grade of overall performance.

5. If the rookie's progress is less than satisfactory at the end of the probational period they will not be offered a contract, but will be eligible for a tryout the following year.

6. Benefits such as health and travel are the largely responsibility of the rookie until the end of the probational period with the exception of emergencies and other extreme circumstances both in the ring and out.

7. The rookie is expected to properly represent the company at all times when conducting themselves in public. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of the contract.

8. The contract can be terminated at any point should the company deem it necessary.

If the rookie agrees to these terms they may sign below.

"Okay, you need to make sure you crush it," Sarah stated,

Suzanna nodded, "Right,"

"Also make sure to ask as many questions as possible,"

"Right,"

"And please stay out of trouble,"

Suzanna was a little less resolute with her response, "R-right,"

Sarah put down the contract and looked at her sternly,

"I'm serious. I've read the stories about what some of those people are like when the cameras are off and I know you. Stay. Out. Of. Trouble,"

Suzanna nodded.

"That means staying away from that Thompson guy," She warned

Suzanna nodded more vigorously.

Sarah sighed and stood up,

"Alright. I have to get to campus, you'll have to get a taxi,"

"Okay,"

"See you later," Sarah said before kissing her on the forehead, "Make sure you leave early,"

"I will," She said, looking over the contract one more time. Her hands were shaking.

(This is really happening. I'm going to be a wrestler.)

She smiled and shook with excitement.

(This is going to be awesome.)

She suddenly remembered Gamal's warnings and calmed down. She would have to learn to temper her emotions if she wanted to avoid a repeat of the tryout.

(Alright, no matter what, I'm going to remain cool, calm and collected.)

She arrived at the centre an hour early wearing a pink long-sleeved dress shirt, black pants and shoes of the same colour.

She thanked the taxi driver as she exited the car and walked in. As she was about to enter the building she heard a motorcycle entering the parking lot and turned out of curiosity. The very tall rider, who wore a black leather jacket, blue jeans and black boots parked the bike and took off his helmet. It was Simon.

She quickly turned away and walked inside. Alexa waved her over to the spot where the candidates had been gathered during the tryout. Suzanna ran over,

"Good morning," She greeted.

"Good morning!" Alexa exclaimed, "You're the first rookie here! I love that. You must really want this,"

She extended her hand for a fist bump, which Suzanna accepted with a nervous smile,

"Yeah, I do..."

(Also Sarah would have killed me.)

"So you ready to start or did you want to speak to Mrs Gamal before signing?"

"I wanted to cover all my bases,"

"Cool," Alexa said pointing in the direction of the stairs leading to Gamal's office, "Up those stairs, first door on the left. Once you're done, come back and I'll give you your training gear. We're going to have a big group photo once everyone's here,"

Suzanna nodded, "Okay,"

She saw Simon approaching in the corner of her eye, "Uh, w-would it be okay if I went up early? You-you know, si-i-ince I'm here and all,"

Alexa cupped her chin, "Well, if she isn't too busy. I'll have to go and ask-"

"Why don't we go together?!" Suzanna asked, louder than she intended which combined with her wide eyes, bare teeth and the fact that her face and hands were a little too close to Alexa's face, made for a frightening experience for the smaller woman.

She quickly straightened and backed away, "S-sorry! I-I meant-"

"Is something wrong?" Alexa asked, quickly recovering from the heart attack she almost had.

Suzanna shifted uncomfortably, "I-I just..." She looked down and spoke softly, "Can I wait somewhere else? Please,"

She briefly gestured towards Simon with her eyes. Simon entered the area, looking as miserable as always, but keeping his to the ground. Alexa immediately understood Suzanna's behaviour and made a 'follow me' movement with her hand,

"Come on, I don't think she'll mind if you go in early," She said, as the two quickly walked towards Gamal's office.

When they got up the stairs, Alexa knocked. Gamal said, "Come in," and they entered. Gamal was at work in front of her desktop. She looked up,

"G-Good morning, Ma'am," Suzanna quickly said before Alexa could speak, "I'm here for the meeting,"

"Good morning, Suzanna," She pulled up her sleeve and looked at her watch, "While I appreciate your eagerness, you're going to have to wait another 30 minutes," She took notice of how nervous she was and asked,

"Is something wrong?"

"Thompson's here," Alexa said, "She was-"

"Excellent!" Gamal suddenly rejoiced, before beckoning Suzanna to sit down, "Let's get started. Alexa, tell him to wait by the door,"

"Yes, Ma'am," She said, before patting Suzanna on the back. The big girl breathed a sigh of relief before she walked over to the chair. Gamal noticed this but maintained a poker face, which wasn't too difficult and kept her hands in a lowered steeple position.

"Um, so I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything I was missing before signing," Suzanna said, pulling out the contract,

Gamal said, "Of course,"

Alexa found Simon leaning against the wall near the base of the stairs. His eyes looked hollow.

"What are you doing?" She asked,

"The old lady said she needed to see me, urgently. I'm waiting,"

"Old la-" Alexa's widened in anger, "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

He looked up at the ceiling and said,

"A question for the mirror,"

"What?"

"Can I go see her or what?"

Alexa let out a sigh and pointed with her thumb, "She wants you to wait outside her door. She'll call you when she's ready,"

He started heading up the stairs, just as Coaches Daniel and Tonye came in with bags of training gear,

“Word of advice,” She said to Simon, “Maybe show the industry legend and person who can end your career with a couple of phone calls the proper respect,”

With that, she went to go join her colleagues, as Danys Vités walked in wearing a white sweater, blue jeans, sneakers and a golden crucifix. Simon simply kept walking up the stairs.