Booking Glory-Chapter 24: Joining Commentary

Hey Folks!!!

Sorry to bother your flow here at this moment. But, I felt like giving a shout-out to one of our fans. Also, this fic has received 25 power stones this week, making it the highest number till now.

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Thanks once again for all your love and support...

*****

The next day Rob walked into the meeting room on the third floor to meet the two veteran commentators working for LWC.

Dallas Moonbyte was a veteran wrestler turned commentator. He had wrestled for over 20 years, before hanging up his boot and picking up a headset. His experience and insights into the work done in the ring have helped a lot of up-and-coming wrestlers in the company.

As befitting a former wrestler, Dallas had a bulky build. The time when he wrestled was when power-type wrestlers were all the craze. So, as a byproduct of that era, Dallas had a huge frame filled with powerful muscles. Sadly, they were now hidden beneath the layers of fat he had put on since his retirement.

Irvin Campbell, on the other hand, was a tall but wiry man. He had spectacles that were reminiscent of a bygone era on his face. His balding head was covered in a cap and he had a shrewd look in his eyes.

Unlike Dallas, Irvin was a backstage worker. Initially, he worked as a salesman for an automobile company. Later, he switched careers and became a color commentator for wrestling events. He had a shrewd look on his face that made lying to him a big problem.

When Rob walked in through the meeting room, he felt like two hungry lions staring at him greedily. Rob had to suppress the involuntary shudder that ran through his body before turning around to greet the two veterans.

Rob knew that the veterans and old-timers in the company were not that pleased with him. His radical changes in the way wrestling were being presented had elicited some grumbles among the group. So, he knew that this would be an uphill battle for him.

And as expected, the moment he took the seat, Dallas fired the first shot.

"Well kid, I heard from Robin that you had something to say about my work. Come on, spill it out. I don’t have all day to waste around," Dallas said in a fierce manner as if he was daring Rob to comment.

Rob winced internally. He felt like cursing Robin for adding fuel to the fire. But, it was indeed him that requested this meeting. So, he had no other alternative than to bite the bullet here.

"First of all Mr. Dallas, I have no complaints regarding what you do. In fact, both of your work has saved a lot of segments in the last few months alone. So, no, I don’t have anything against your work," Rob decided to put that out there first to mitigate any other issues.

Dallas merely raised his eyebrows and looked at Irvin. Irvin merely shrugged and turned his attention to Rob once more.

"Then, why the hell have you called us in here?" Dallas asked rudely.

"Well, I had an idea regarding commentary after watching Dacey’s segment this week. I wanted to discuss that with you folks and see if it is possible to implement," Rob stated eyeing the duo.

"Ah, that clusterfuck of a segment huh," Dallas said wincing. "It was tough for that kid. I don’t blame her. The crowd was really eating her up out there."

"Indeed," Irvin too nodded in agreement.

"That is exactly why I called you both here. Let me make this clear first, if not for your actions, that segment might have become totally unsalvageable. So, I congratulate you both for such a wonderful job," Rob said nodding at the duo.

"That being said, I felt that commentary could offer more value to our shows than being as a simple means to salvage moments," Rob said looking at the two. "I feel that commentary might have more value than we all have realized until now."

"Is that so?" Irvin asked suspiciously. "And pray, tell me, what kind of value do you see us having?"

"Before we go there, just indulge me for a bit," Rob raised his hands motioning them to listen, "Until now, commentary has only been used to advertise our shows, provide play-by-play, and give a rundown on events. Am I right?"

"Indeed," Dallas said impatiently. "We all know that. Now, get a move on and say what you want to say."

"Well, what if we use commentary in some other way? Say, what if we create an on-air rivalry between the two commentators? Don’t you think that will make it more interesting for viewers in general?"

"Rivalry, huh," Dallas said scratching his chin. "How do you propose we achieve this?"

"Before that," Rob said leaning forward. "You saw how Dacey was being booked right? What do you think about it? Do you see the future booking moving in that direction?"

"It has potential," Dallas grunted. "I have never seen a crowd so into it before this."

"But, unless the entire thing is proven, we can’t say for sure. It is nothing but a gamble at this stage. Can the wrestlers cope with so much negativity piled up on them? We all saw Dacey’s state this week. I don’t think anyone else would have been different," Irvin cautioned from the side.

"True," Rob nodded in agreement. "That is why I wanted to change the commentary a little bit. You see, what do you think would happen if a commentator constantly supports a heel like Dacey?"

Dallas’ eyes shrunk as he heard Rob’s question. He fell into thought a bit and started tapping his fingers on the table. Irvin was also intrigued as he also fell into thought. It was clear from their posture that both the veterans were thinking deeply about the idea.

Rob let them think. He didn’t rush them. He gave them enough room to form their own conclusions before he wanted to explain.

"How do you propose to accomplish that?" Irvin asked after a while.

"Well, say for example, if a commentator constantly supports Dacey over Diana and keeps repeatedly telling the audience that Dacey was right to do something like that, what do you think the audience will do? Also, what if he blatantly inverts right and wrong and paints Dacey as a hero?"

"The crowd would hate the guy," Dallas said shaking his head.

"But, that would divert the heat from Dacey when she is in the ring, right? If this guy keeps yapping on and on about how Dacey is right, I am sure that some of the heat would flow into him," Irvin said thinking out loud.

Dallas looked surprised for a moment before he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Especially the viewers at home. They would be irritated with the guy," Dallas said thinking along with Irvin.

"Exactly, wouldn’t it help the talent inside the ring?" Rob asked eagerly.

"It sure would. But, the problem is we are only booking Dacey like this for now. Trying to alter the flow for a single person seems unwise to me," Irvin poured cold water on Rob’s enthusiasm.

"I know, I know," Rob relaxed a bit.

He knew he was overeager and it would have ruined his pitch to these guys. If he didn’t win these guys over, the role of a heel commentator would never appear. So, he didn’t want to blow this up.

Until now, these two have been quick enough to catch on to Rob’s thoughts without Rob explaining them outright. They were able to easily see the pros and cons of the idea. So, all Rob had to do was prove to them that this idea was worth it.

"I know," Rob composed himself and began again. "But, this thing can be used in other segments as well. Imagine a guy always being disharmonious and siding with the wrong people. And on the other hand, we have an upright guy who always does the right thing. Both are experienced and veterans of the craft. Do you think having them argue over in commentary would be more interesting?"

Irvin and Dallas didn’t react immediately. They took in Rob’s idea and started thinking about it seriously. The more they thought, the more they found Rob’s idea feasible. But, they didn’t know how to execute it.

"It does sound interesting. But, how are you going to pull that off? I don’t think anyone could do what you are telling. No one knows how to do it, kid, that’s the problem," Irvin said after some time making Rob feel a little letdown.

"Look kid, you saw Dacey out there, right? I am sure you would have given her a lot of ideas heading into the ring. But, that’s the thing with ideas. It is easy to give, difficult to put it into action," Dallas said with a huge sigh.

Rob felt that he needed to do something at this point. It was clear that both of them were open to the idea, but they were a bit hesitant about how to execute it. So, what if he showed them a sample?

Once that idea sprouted, it rooted down in Rob’s mind firmly. He knew that if he could just show them a sample, veterans like them could take it and change the landscape of the entire industry.

With an idea in mind, Rob firmed up his decision and decided to give it a go.

"I understand," Rob said looking at the duo. "But, here’s what I suggest. We can try to do a sample of the idea. I will show you what’s exactly on my mind. I am sure you will be able to do it after that."

Irvin and Dallas exchanged a guarded look amongst them as Rob waited anxiously. Their eye exchange lasted for almost a minute before they turned to him. The moment their eyes landed on him, Rob felt a tingle pass up in his spine. He felt a bad feeling regarding this idea now.

However, he had already proposed and he couldn’t back out now. So, he grit his teeth and waited for their verdict.

"Let’s give it a try," Dallas spoke breaking the silence. "Show us what you think should be done, we can see if it could be done continuously."

Rob nodded and stood up from his chair.

*****

<Ready, 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... go!>

Rob put on his headset and sat beside Dallas. There was the video of Dacey’s segment rolling in the front. To show them exactly what he meant, Rob had chosen this particular clip to try out.

Rob was currently in a record room that was used for advertising purposes. The tape that was rolling in was devoid of any commentary audio and only the video along with the crowd reaction was being broadcast.

This was a setup that emulated a commentary environment as much as possible.

Rob felt sweat forming in his palm. He wasn’t ready for this. While he knew how things were done, it was entirely another thing to do himself. He had no prior color commentary experience. It was nerve-wracking to be in the same room as two veterans who have been doing this for years.

"Welcome to this week’s edition of <Fyre> and we are live from the Longham Wrestling Arena, Longham City. This week, we are featuring a plethora of matches for you to watch and enjoy!"

Dallas began in his usual manner by welcoming the audience to the show.

"And don’t forget, we will be hearing from Dacey Surestone in regards to her actions this past Saturday on <Break Out>!"

Irvin piped in doing his part.

"And I for one can’t wait to hear what Dacey Surestone’s got to say."

Rob said a little jerkily causing the other two to turn around and look at him. Rob felt the sweat in his hands was unbearable, but he managed to hide it with great difficulty.

Having these two veterans attention directed at him, almost made him fumble his words. However, Rob was able to pull his weight without further damage.

"You mean, she has the gall to come out here and stay in front of the people after what she did this past Saturday?"

Dallas asked incredulously.

"Definitely, why wouldn’t she?" Rob cut in before Irvin could say his piece. "She obviously has her reasons for doing what she did. And I am sure Diana brought this on herself. No one will do something like that without proper provocation."

This was the first time Rob interrupted the flow the veterans had established. But, strangely enough, the nervousness within him was residing a bit by now and he felt more confident to say his piece after saying this.

"You think anything Diana could do validated such a heinous attack?" Dallas queried with disbelief in his voice.

"We don’t know, do we? Unless Dacey herself speaks out, we won’t know what caused her to attack Diana. That’s why I can’t wait to hear what Dacey’s got to say. It will shed the light on the matter once and for all."

Rob countered back without giving an inch.

"Do you think anything justifies Dacey’s actions on <Break Out>? She ruined the moment for the entire women’s division. That was the first ever Triple Threat Match. And she ruined Diana’s history-making moment!"

Dallas didn’t relent.

"All I am hearing is Diana this, Diana that. What about Dacey? I am telling you that there must be a reason for her actions. We just don’t know about them!"

Rob countered back heatedly.

"Let’s just take a moment and see what transpired on <Break Out>. To the folks watching at home, this is the first-ever Triple Threat Match that happened on <Break Out>. This was a history-making moment for the entire women’s division in LWC."

Irvin cut in smoothly as the highlights began to play.

Rob let out a huge sigh of relief as a break came in. He wiped his hands discreetly and looked at the video playing on the screen.

"What do you think?" Rob asked eagerly.

"Let’s finish this segment and play it back with our audio. That way we can all tell how it is," Irvin said nodding at the video before shooting a surreptitious look at Dallas.

Dallas merely nodded and didn’t comment. Rob was left with no other option than to continue to record the commentary.

The highlights ended with Diana being carted off by the medics. There was blood all over her face and she looked really pitiful.

"Do you think anything justifies this? Diana was spent! She had just wrestled one of the most grueling matches in her entire career and Dacey attacks her after that! That too, a sneak attack! Do you think anything justifies this?"

Dallas asked from the side with righteous fury.

"Hang on a second, we haven’t heard from Dacey yet. We can’t jump to conclusions just with this. As they say, the jury is still out," Rob deftly sidestepped the issue.

"But, you have to admit that it was a vicious attack, Rob. Whatever Diana did, she didn’t deserve such an attack. That too after wrestling a classic like that," Irvin piped in trying to trip Rob.

But Rob was having none of that. Currently, he was channeling the sheer blind adamancy of Jerry "The King" Lawler. No matter what anyone said, The King never gave up on his point. And Rob was determined to do just that.

"As I said, the jury is still out there. We can’t judge based on this circumstantial evidence. We need to listen to both sides and then, only then, we can come to a judgment. I am confident that Dacey had her reasons for doing what she did," Rob remained stubborn.

"The jury is out and the verdict has already been passed. Look at that crowd, they are clear on Dacey’s actions. I am clear on Dacey’s actions. We all are clear on Dacey’s actions. It’s just you that is supporting her now," Dallas changed his tactics and attacked Rob personally now.

"Innocent until proven guilty. You will never convince me that Dacey had no reason to do this," Rob stated snidely. "And when Dacey comes out, we will all have our answers. I sure hope that you don’t backtrack then, Dallas."

Rob shot back without giving an inch.

*****

A/N: Hey folks!

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