The Other Three Little Words - PROLOGUE, pt.II

[t r e]

He silently, expertly closed the door behind him, listening with interest to Cassidy's ongoing telephone conversation.

"I think you're misunderstanding what I'm saying, sir. This isn't a matter of respect, it's a matter of timing. Right now my client is on the cusp of becoming one of 2008's marquee talents. I'd be lying if I told you that you were the first talent agent from a prominent, national wrestling organization whom I've had this conversation with this week. To be honest with you, I've had to have this SAME candid conversation with rep's from several GLOBAL promotions in the last few weeks", Stewart said as he gathered his files and papers together. "If you had called me BEFORE his appearance in TEAM's Dupree Memorial, or BEFORE he beat EPW's top performer and World Champion on international TV, then maybe you and I could speak realistically about some sort of short-term deal, but I'm going to be honest with you..."

Cassidy stood at his desk, impatient and rushed but ever professional.

"Short-term, long-term; my client is and will be committed to Empire Pro and, of course, it's affiliates. While the contract extension my client signed with EPW allows for a limited amount of independent bookings, we feel it's in the best interest of Ice Tre and the Ice Tre Brand to -- for now -- restrict his appearances to EPW events exclusively. I--"

Cut off mid-sentence and trying desperately to maintain his composure, Stewart began organizing his desk, packing what he might need for his trip in his open briefcase. He found a smirk on his face, finding also a chance to cut back in.

"--and I am sure that, in different circumstances, your promotion would benefit greatly from adding Tre to the roster, and vice versa, of course. But the circumstances are as they are. I DO appreciate your calls, and I hope that you and I can keep some kind of line of communication open. After all..."

Cassidy shuffled his left arm into his tan, heavy coat sleeve ... then the other, with a huff and a cocky grin.

"Circumstances change all of the time. Am I right, or am I right? Huh?"

A hard, likely forced laugh followed by a brief and cordial dismissal, and Cassidy finally was slapping his cellphone closed and stuffing it in his coat pocket. His blonde hair grew longer and more unkempt with the passing of every day, it seemed. He had certainly been busy of late; wrangling Tre from point A to point's B and C without arrousing the attention of the ATF, ARC, or NAACP while remaining in the good graces of EPW is never easy. Nor is over-seeing the financial side of a highly regarded but financially starving pro wrestling school. This and the married life had kept Cass constantly on the run, putting out one fire or another. Always feeling one step behind.

Vin Zachary gruffly cleared his throat and stepped fully into the room, causing Stewart to jump out of his skin.

"You know there's a blown bulb in the gym?", Vin barked as his grey, dim eyes scanned his old office, having a hard time deciding if this WAS his old office. So different now.

"How long has that light been out?", Zachary pressed.

"Vin!", Cass exclaimed -- his own eyes swept across the office; the clutter, the dust, the general disarray. Not entirely what he would have wanted his father-in-law walking into. "If I knew you were coming I would have, uh ... picked up a little."

Vin's head swung around the room slowly, nodding. "I should hope so."

Cass was eager to push the conversation along. "The students are coming along well--"

"I saw them", Vin flatly cut in, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder towards the gym. "Got a blub out, right above the ring!"

Cass nodded, patiently. "I'll take care of it, Vin. I've been busy with the website and the repairs for the roof."

Vin's wrinkled face turned in confusion, nearly angry. "What's wrong with the roof?"

"Vin ... the roof in the back of the building. It's had that leak for ten or twelve years, you told me. Finally getting around to fixing it up ... remember?"

Vin didn't. Not at first, anyhow. It came back to him in bits, flashes, and chunks of conversations and fading memories. He nodded his head again, this time matter-of-factly and annoyed. "Busy or not, Cassidy. Busy or not, gotta keep up appearances. You're running a business, son. And you gotta have standards."

"You're absolutely right, Vin. Absolutely right", Cassidy said, stifling a long, belabored sigh. "Listen, I'm on my way out the door right now. Flight to catch. My agency's primary client has a big match coming up and I--"

Vin slowly took a seat across the desk from where Cassidy stood.

"Tell me about your agency. Tell me about this ... client", Vin asked. There was a brief stretch of silence. Cass felt a cold sweat form on his brow, flushed and heated. Over the last several months it had become clear from photographic evidence, references here and there from the school's Head Trainer, Mason Xavier, as well as Tre's own uneasiness around the school that Ice Tre and the Vin Zachary School of Wrestling had some sort of history. A history no one wanted to fess up to or talk about. Cassidy had FELT it, but going on his gut, had lived in denial. He'd never asked the questions. "Tell me about Ice Tre", Vin demanded softly.

Cassidy swallowed hard and sat back down in his chair.

"Tre is a work in progress. Certainly not the greatest wrestler in the world, he's improving and gaining a remarkable following", Cass said. Eyes locked. "He is one of the most unique athletes I've ever encountered in this business. He's got ... something."

Vin leaned forward, painfully. His voice nothing above a whisper.

"Is he a liability? A danger?", Vin asked. Urgent.

Cass just stared back at him, blankly. "He, uh ... he's improving every day. He--"

Vin smirked now, it appeared, leaning back in his chair as if to stretch his weary bones. Cassidy stopped short, knowing he was about to be interrupted anyhow.

"This business, Cassidy ... even as much as it may have changed over the years. This business can not afford a liability", he croaked. There was no smirk, now.

"Vin, I really think we should talk about--"

"This SCHOOL can not afford a liability", Vin said. "You may represent this young man you call Ice Tre. But, always remember; You also represent this school, and by extension, Me."

Cass swallowed hard.

"Understand, I trust you, Cassidy. If I didn't", he chuckled. Cass returned a nervous smile. "Well, if I didn't trust you you wouldn't BE here. Here running my school. Here, in my Family. I'm not questioning you, Cassidy. It's Him."

"...what is this all about?", Cassidy finally found the nerve to call out. Vin didn't flinch, completely lucid.

"That's not my story to tell, son. Not my cross to bear. All I'll say ... is that it wasn't too long ago that I looked that little boy in the eye and put him in his place, told him where to go and what he was worth; All in three little words. Didn't do it because I wanted to. Did it because it had to be done. That boy ain't right. Not fit for the ring. You do what you have to do, just know that at the end of the day, if it affects this School? My family, extended or otherwise? That ... is when you and I may come to a crossroads."

Silence. Awkward silence marked by the pounding in Stewart's chest.

"Didn't you say you had a flight to catch?", Vin inquired out of the blue. Cassidy snapped out of it, nodding his head dumbly.

"Right. Yes. My flight", grabbing his briefcase once more. "I have a flight", adjusting his coat collar. "Uhh..."

Vin nodded in understanding. "Go, go. I'll, uhh ... make myself at home. On your way out, see if you can find my son, Don. Have him switch that bulb out today!"

"The bulb, absolutely! Thanks, Vin!", Cassidy called out over his shoulder, quickly opening then closing the door behind him.

"God only knows how long that light has been out!", Vin grumbled.