Post by darkhorse on May 20, 2017 1:12:50 GMT
::Hernando Villareal enters the Warrior Wrestling League's corporate office. He walks up to the receptionist, looking at and through her with the disinterested air of a man who was spent half his life dealing with far more important people than her, or anyone really. Indeed, it is Villareal's attitude, more than his $400 haircut and $10,000 suit, that leaves the receptionist with the pronounced feeling of unease in the pit of her stomach:
Receptionist: Warrior Wrestling League, may I be of service?
Villareal: Hernando Villareal. I have an appointment with Mr. Ross
Receptionist: Of course. He will be out in a second.
:The receptionist calls Elliot Ross, chief of WWL's Human Resources office. Villareal stays standing besides her. People like him do NOT sit in waiting rooms. A few seconds later, Ross comes out, and walks Villareal into his corner office, which somehow seems less impressive than it usually does:
Ross: Mr. Villareal. To what do I owe the pleasure?
Mr. Villareal: I'm here on behalf of my client, the man you may know as Darkhorse.
:Ross stifles a gulp, mentally reminding himself to avoid revealing that he, like virtually everyone in the world, has no idea who Darkhorse really is, or even IF there is man behind that infamous blank mask:
Ross: Yes, of course. Is there anything wrong with the contract I drew up?
Mr. Villareal: Not much. My client is willing to sign, provided you accept a few modest changes.
:Villareal hands Ross over a modified copy of the contract sent earlier to Darkhorse, through his office:
Ross: I'm not sure I understand. It looks live you've...lowered the value of this contract by 15%
Villareal: Indeed I have, on my client's request. He feels that it is only fair to offer you some recompense for his acquiescing to his minor requests.
Ross: ...no social media or public requirements, payment made to a private Cayman Islands account, no interviews outside of events... I'm not sure president Leroy will be okay with this. It's 2017, Mr. Villareal. We draw our audience through facebook and YouTube. Darkhorse needs to be a part of that.
Villareal: I'm sorry, but this is non-negotiable. My Client is an extremely private person, and you and I both know how he was treated by the media earlier.
Ross: Wasn't that because of the supposed kidnapping? And the debut match with the [coughs]...
Villareal: The sword, in his chest? Theatrics, Mr. Ross. The sort of things that make for excellent promotional videos, and my client is absolutely fine with you releasing those materials. But we can't expect a performer who does such things to dissolve the mystery by tweeting about, now can we?
Ross: I guess not. I think I can sell that to Mr. Leroy, and even the Cayman island thing. There may be some issues with tax paperwork but...
Villareal: Mr. Ross, I assure you that my client would not pay me my...generous fees if I were not capable of dealing with such matters. Don't worry, as long as you and the WWL allow my client his privacy, he will more than make it worth your while.
:Villareal leaves Mr. Ross' office, and walks through the office doors. When out of earshot, he makes a phone call:
Villareal: It's done. The payroll issue will not be an issue. No, Ross does not understand. Poor fool. So concerned about trying to discern WHO the master is that he never stops to think about WHAT he is. But that is the way of the unenlightened, isn't it? Yes, we have waited long, too long. But not much longer.
Receptionist: Warrior Wrestling League, may I be of service?
Villareal: Hernando Villareal. I have an appointment with Mr. Ross
Receptionist: Of course. He will be out in a second.
:The receptionist calls Elliot Ross, chief of WWL's Human Resources office. Villareal stays standing besides her. People like him do NOT sit in waiting rooms. A few seconds later, Ross comes out, and walks Villareal into his corner office, which somehow seems less impressive than it usually does:
Ross: Mr. Villareal. To what do I owe the pleasure?
Mr. Villareal: I'm here on behalf of my client, the man you may know as Darkhorse.
:Ross stifles a gulp, mentally reminding himself to avoid revealing that he, like virtually everyone in the world, has no idea who Darkhorse really is, or even IF there is man behind that infamous blank mask:
Ross: Yes, of course. Is there anything wrong with the contract I drew up?
Mr. Villareal: Not much. My client is willing to sign, provided you accept a few modest changes.
:Villareal hands Ross over a modified copy of the contract sent earlier to Darkhorse, through his office:
Ross: I'm not sure I understand. It looks live you've...lowered the value of this contract by 15%
Villareal: Indeed I have, on my client's request. He feels that it is only fair to offer you some recompense for his acquiescing to his minor requests.
Ross: ...no social media or public requirements, payment made to a private Cayman Islands account, no interviews outside of events... I'm not sure president Leroy will be okay with this. It's 2017, Mr. Villareal. We draw our audience through facebook and YouTube. Darkhorse needs to be a part of that.
Villareal: I'm sorry, but this is non-negotiable. My Client is an extremely private person, and you and I both know how he was treated by the media earlier.
Ross: Wasn't that because of the supposed kidnapping? And the debut match with the [coughs]...
Villareal: The sword, in his chest? Theatrics, Mr. Ross. The sort of things that make for excellent promotional videos, and my client is absolutely fine with you releasing those materials. But we can't expect a performer who does such things to dissolve the mystery by tweeting about, now can we?
Ross: I guess not. I think I can sell that to Mr. Leroy, and even the Cayman island thing. There may be some issues with tax paperwork but...
Villareal: Mr. Ross, I assure you that my client would not pay me my...generous fees if I were not capable of dealing with such matters. Don't worry, as long as you and the WWL allow my client his privacy, he will more than make it worth your while.
:Villareal leaves Mr. Ross' office, and walks through the office doors. When out of earshot, he makes a phone call:
Villareal: It's done. The payroll issue will not be an issue. No, Ross does not understand. Poor fool. So concerned about trying to discern WHO the master is that he never stops to think about WHAT he is. But that is the way of the unenlightened, isn't it? Yes, we have waited long, too long. But not much longer.