Free The Cruiserweight by L. Anne Carrington Page A

plan
on making the same mistake Patrick did of asking for more than the
company offers. These days, we have to take what is offered without
question. May I add that with Squared Circle Express and Dragonfly,
I’ll wrestle in real matches.”
    The best thing about independent scene is
actual wrestling.”
    “That’s how Japan-based federations work. In
America, the sport is a joke with more focus on the ‘entertainment’
aspect. In Japan, it’s a respected profession. That’s another
reason I love Dragonfly‘s American franchise. It has the Japanese
value of focusing on pure wrestling.”
    “I’m thrilled for you, Brett.”
    “There’s something else that should make you
happy. I’m giving up smoking joints.”
    “You are? That’s great!”
    “Not cold turkey, mind you, but ever since I
was released, I’ve been cutting back. Now that I’m with Dragonfly,
I have more of a reason to put weed out of my life.”
    “I know they’re a new company, but are any of
their shows on television? There’s a few other independents that
have cable deals.”
    “Not yet. Dragonfly USA was created by Graham.
I think they’ve held two or three shows so far but they’re off to a
good start.”
    “I hope they put the show out on DVD or at
least make it a pay per view. I look forward to seeing you in
action again.”
    “This is just the beginning sweetheart. My
happy ass can’t wait to get started!”
     
    *****
     
    It was almost five-thirty when Karen finished
putting together an article from her notes. She didn’t realize how
late it was until Phoebe was leaving and stopped by her desk.
“Something exciting must be happening for you to work nonstop the
entire day.”
    “Another wrestling story for Mr. Sullivan. He
wants it done by the end of the week. There was a new tag team
signed and he wants us to break the story first.”
    “You’re lucky having something always happening
in your field. I would have had better luck working in the United
Kingdom. Soccer is big overseas.”
    “There was a movie about wrestling which came
out last year and helped put it back into the spotlight. As for
soccer, they call it ‘football’ in the UK. But don’t tell Terry or
Mr. Sullivan.”
    “I don’t think I know any people who are as
crazy about American style football as those two. What I could
never figure out is why do they call it football in this country
when the players don’t use their feet most of the time.”
    “I think ‘pigskin ball’ didn’t have such a good
ring to it.”
    “How are things with Brett?”
    “We had a nice talk yesterday afternoon. He’s
excited about his upcoming appearances.”
    “Did he tell you anything?”
    “Nothing I didn’t know. There’s something I
have been considering, though.”
    “What?”
    “First, you have to promise not to tell anyone
else. There are some unused personal days I will lose at the end of
the year if they aren’t taken.”
    “Your secret is safe. What are you planning to
do that you‘re in a hurry to use personal days? You still have
three more months to use them.”
    Karen outlined her idea, not leaving out any
details. She had thought of it the night before. Karen hadn’t
gotten a chance to talk to Sullivan yet, but had it at the top of
her list for Tuesday morning.
     
    *****
     
    Brett called her that evening, his voice full
of excitement. “Hey, guess who I talked to today?!“ .
    She made light of the moment. “The White
House?”
    “Very funny. No, but this was someone special.
I heard from Michael Sloane. Remember him? He was one of my
trainers at the wrestling academy.”
    “I know that much. What did he have to
say?”
    “He wanted to congratulate me on my upcoming
SCE and Dragonfly matches and glad I’m still active. Oh yeah, and
he said for me to ‘kick ass all over the place just like he taught
me.’ Like I would do anything else!”
    “ Those words coming from your old
trainer should mean something.”
    “Yeah. Michael said he