Backroom Dealings

[winner3]

Location: An office building owned by LAW

Traveling abroad and striking deals that made shows possible was typically the General Manager's business. But business the company had across the globe took many high-ranking officials globe-trotting every now and again. And today's business trip saw Assistant General Manager Angie Defoe cooped up on one of the higher floors of an office building in States.

"Mhmm....Yes, well it's been a pleasure. Thank you all for your time!" Defoe smiled widely into the webcam on her laptop. A closer look would reveal that she was wrapping up a video conference call with a large group. And the moment that call ended, she received another call, this time from an assistant.

Assistant GM Angie Defoe

"What it is, Mable?" Angie abruptly answered the call. Her expression quickly transitioned from a friendly look to one of annoyance.

"F-forgive me, Miss Defoe. I know you've been in calls back to back." The assistant stammered and scrambled to collect herself.

"Y-your 2 o'clock is here! Shall I send her in?"

"Send her in." Angie pushed up her glasses. Her annoyance seemed to dissipate. She ended the call and rose up out of her chair. She arranged her office space in anticipation of her guest's arrival. With one chair on both sides of her desk and her laptop off to the side, Angie would sit pretty with her hands folded together on her desk. Her sleek blonde hair framed the expectant, smiling expression on her face. She had left the door open in anticipation of her guest's arrival. When said guest finally stepped into the room, Angie seemed more than happy to welcome her.

"Miss...Robin Mendez.... please...have a seat." The Assistant GM would gesture to the chair to welcome Robin to sit down.

"Can I get you anything? Water, perhaps?"

[Taskmaster12]

She’d been summoned. Robin rarely felt worried since coming to LAW that her plans might’ve been in danger or that she risked being exposed and caught for the person she really was. Then an ominous message to meet with Angie Defoe popped on her computer making Robin feel the slightest ounce of sweat on her normally cool brow before she accepted. Several days later in another country Robin was looking out the window of the building while she waited to meet this Angie. She’d only met her a few times while in the LAW building. Despite her promotion to assistant GM being new she was already working backstage for some time before that reward. Robin even questioned if it was a reward at all and not just a formality to a role she had been playing far longer than anyone knew? The real question was what did she want with her? Did she know something about Robin’s real plan and business with LAW? “Miss Defoe will see you now.” The words broke her concentration and Robin stood up quickly to start marching out of the room. If this meeting was truly about being exposed or blackmailed Robin wanted it over with. She didn’t even look at the receptionist and didn’t stop until she was right outside the door. Robin opened it slowly and calmly despite her rare internal discomfort.

She was greeted politely by the assistant General Manager upon entry and offered a seat that she took. “Thank you.” She already knew that Angie seemed to be more like a Celeste than a Dan. If that was the case an under the table deal might be in order if she wanted to feel secure in knowing she was covered. Assuming that her worries were valid at all. “Water please. Am I here for business as a wrestler or is this about my work with Jenna and Tammy?”

[winner3]

Despite the worries plaguing her in the back of her mind, much like Angie, Robin remained cool on the outside. A passing glance at either woman wouldn't clue you in on the vast designs that both of them have to extend their reach and impose their will on anyone and everyone they could at LAW. Angie was especially keen on keeping up appearances. Even now, she smiled at her guest warmly.

"Water it is." The blonde nodded. She got up to collect a water cup from the dispenser near the corner. As she filled it partway, she chuckled to herself as she mulled over Mendez's question.

"Straight to the point, aren't you, Robin?" Angie would say as she walked back over and handed the woman the cup. The Manager would lean against her own desk. She gripped the edge of the table with both hands. The way she situated herself against the desk flattered her voluptuous frame. Her gaze would meet Robin's own before she continued. For most people, Angie's expression didn't always betray her intentions. But with Defoe, there was always an agenda, even if most laymen couldn't see it at first.

"Why not both, right? You've made some remarkable contributions to this company. Your work alongside Jenna and Tammy goes without saying. You three are the faces of press conferences and commentary here at LAW. Between the three of you, you're the clear standout, of course. But as of that wasn't enough, unlike those two, you actually dare to step into a LAW ring.... it's intriguing, to say the least..." Angie raised her eyebrow as she studied Robin's expression and body language.

"I spend a lot of time beating around the bush with the big wigs, the suits, the investors, the compliance folks in administration. I find it tiring, you know? And that's why I find it refreshing that despite doing so much work backstage, the usual corporate song and dance doesn't seem to be your style, does it, Robin?" She prompted the woman, seemingly to get her to speak her mind and to open up in much the same way that Angie had.

[Taskmaster12]

Angie was studying her. She had an idea of who she was and was slowly looking for the rest in this meeting. Her charm and smile was a common weapon used by many to disarm them, Robin was the latest and she would try to see through it and learn about who Angie Defoe really was. “Straight to the point.” Robin confirmed and took the water Angie gave her. The two beauties settled in and seemed to go back to observing each other, Angie continued to talk about her with genuine respect. Slowly she seemed to relax and talk further about her appreciation of Robin being active in the ring and backstage, staying professional but distinct and acting nothing like corporate head that Angie saw as grey men in suits from a distance. “My time working in wrestling has taught me that even if you simply want to work backstage you’re only getting the best of your experience if you stand out. It’s a business that rewards boldness when measured with what you’re capable of, and I have enough experience to understand exactly what I can do and how useful I can be. As such I’ve been able to find comfortable positions for theirs of the ring while keeping my place in it. While many destroy themselves working 20 matches to get 15 minutes of fame I can wrestle 1 and receive a weeks worth of fame.” Robin interrupted her speech to sip some water and collect her thoughts. She wanted to give her something without giving away too much. “Its a call to fame if I can be honest. If I wanted to get rich I could stay back and do my job. I do not join wrestling to be a nameless face that you forget when my time to retire has passed. I seek the only kind of immortality possible and choose to find ways to live forever in the hearts and minds of LAW’s viewers as we push it to the edge of history. Are you looking for advice? Is our assistant GM interested in pursuing an in ring career and a more noticeable presence?”

[winner3]

Angie listened to Robin's words intently. Somehow the raven-haired beauty exuded professionalism and mystique with each breath. Robin was composed, measured, well-spoken...The Assistant General Manager saw a lot of herself in this woman.

"Oh no, dear. I've actually wrestled for something close to a decade out in the Midwest. I don't know whether or not those days are fully behind me. Dare I say, I may feel the urge to throw some of the boys and girls we sign all around the ring, hehe.." She finished with a small shrug.

"So you seek immortality, then?" Angie's smile widened not with warmth, but with a sinister intrigue!

"Ohhh, I knew I was right about you, Robin~" Defoe hummed to herself. She closed her eyes and wore a very satisfied look on her face.

"You see, I called you in here not to seek help, but to offer some to you. As a woman of ambition...I'm able to identify that trait in other people, you see." Angie stood up and began to walk slowly around the chair Robin was seated in. She glanced through the window of the door to her her office. She made sure there were no prying eyes or eavesdropping ilk.

"Miss Mendez, you will reach heights in this company far, far beyond the reaches of what the commentary desk and the occasional match can offer you."

"You're already light-years ahead of Jenna and Tammy. Compared to other wrestlers, you practically debuted yesterday and yet, you have a following. But that's now enough, is it, Robin? You crave more don't you?" Angie asked rhetorically as she moved closer to Robin from behind.

"I know I do." Defoe would delicately brush her fingertips across Robin's shoulders as she walked to her desk, once again leaning against it and sitting on the edge of the table, gripping said edge with both hands.

"I believe I can give that to you. I believe that you and I could be rather successful business partners here at LAW...."

[Taskmaster12]

“While I was not aware of that I cannot say it leaves me surprised to hear that. With the shape you’ve maintained despite having turned from the ring to an office job for almost a decade you look ready to fit right back in.” An easy compliment and not at all a lie simply by looking at the woman. Robin had never found herself interested in another person in such a way nor had she ever been with another for the pleasure of it, yet she knew what was attractive and what wasn’t. Mixed with her keen eye for fighting specimens and she knew that Angie would need little training to return to the ring in good fighting shape for her age and still catch attention for her unwavering looks. That was all on the outside. What made up the inside was someone who Robin was starting to see had a similar set up in mind for LAW that she did only she was closer to the top than Robin was. Did she have the same external resources that Robin possessed and muscle aplenty within LAW to carry it out? Maybe she didn’t but she knew or suspected that Robin did and approaching her like this was her way of patching up the one weakness she had. She rightfully pegged her as one with ambitions above the current station and seemed to have keener eye than most for what Robin wanted since many assumed she was another corporate climber that Robin played herself as. What Angie was offering was closer to what she really wanted. It was clear they really did have much in common. “How would you propose we start this partnership? Or is a yes the only thing you’re looking for this day?” Robin leaned in giving Angie her full attention. For now she would withhold anything she was capable of until she knew Angie’s intentions. She was always cautious and when you were meeting someone who was similar to you in her line of work you had to take what caution you practiced and double it for good measure.

[winner3]

Within Angie's office here, both women quickly got a feel for one another. Surely there would be many opportunities for Defoe and Mendez to familiarize themselves further, away from the prying eyes and cameras of passersbys, away from the less ambitious LAW talent, away from DeFranco....

And yet, even under these circumstances, the Assistant GM took great interest in Robin. She couldn't possibly be privy to the muscle that the raven-haired woman had amassed for herself at LAW. But given what she knew of her guest's background and with the read she was getting on Mendez, Angie was confident in one thing: there was more to Robin than meets the eye.

"Ohohoho~ Robin, my dear." Angie giggled at the way Robin sized her up. Despite her not competing in official in-ring action for years, Defoe was indeed in fighting shape. It seemed that Angie wasn't the only one with an eye for talent.

"Flattery will get you everywhere." Angie would smile at Mendez. Her eyes and eyebrows would perk up when Robin, once again, got right to the point.

"Oh, rest assured, I'm not here to waste your time. I'm simply enjoying this chance to get to know a little more about you." Angie's smile widened both with the pleasure she spoke of and in anticipation of divulging a few details.

"I expect that you're currently mostly sold. I can offer you corporate and backstage power here at LAW, and I know that's something that...entices you..." Angie spoke in a breathy tone here. She stood up and began to pace around Robin. Her heels clicked with each step as circled.

"So your main concern right now is what I would have you do in exchange for it. "What does the boss want from me?" is probably what you're asking yourself right now." Angie would stop behind Robin and lean forward. She'd place a hand on the woman's shoulder and smile down at her.

"In time, I do hope you'll find a fondness for me the same way I have for you, Robin."

"What I'm looking for from you today is a yes, both to my proposition for our partnership and for you to take on your first assignment."

"Each of your assignments will mutually benefit both of us, so long as you can successfully complete them, that is. Mutual benefit and mutual interest are the backbone of any partnership, don't you agree?" Angie would ask rhetorically before continuing.

"As we work together, I will see to it that your notoriety and your influence in this company grow, both as a wrestler and as a woman behind the curtain."

"And I shall poise myself to read the heights that I want to reach as well. And when I get there...I need to make sure that I have a worthy successor."

"After all, I can't run this show forever. One day, I'll have to pass the torch to someone..." Angie would lean in further, she got nearly cheek to cheek with Robin before winking at her, and promptly standing up to walk over and resume her position leaning onto the edge of her desk in front of Mendez.

[Taskmaster12]

Angie enjoyed Robin’s observation and took notice of her ambitions. Robin was tempted to ask Angie how much about her past she knew since it was obvious that she had taken an interest in her for some reason and knew that the commentary booth was far from Robin’s only desired station. When she got close enough that her breathe was running down Robin’s neck with every word and continued to talk about what a partnership between them would involve assignments in exchange for rewards in the form of access to the power Angie was dangling in front of her. From this alone she suspected Angie knew she had muscle at her disposal. Bodies to use as she pleased that Angie wanted to use as well and was willing to reward Robin for letting her use. She wanted to be a rising tide and she was telling Robin that if she rose Robin would rise with her. After that she would walk away and go back to her desk letting the two of them be face to face again and letting Robin see that she meant every word. What she offered surpassed the power she received working under Celeste who she was close to dumping anyway. This could be the next big step if she played her cards right. “What would this first assignment be?”

[winner3]

"A rather simple one, dear." Defoe answered confidently. By now, she was sure that she had captured Robin's interest. Their partnership would not only mutually serve them both, but it would go deeper than that if Angie had her way. She understood Mendez in ways few other women did. She could see a young "Angie" in her latest business partner. A woman who had it in her to run things someday, just like Defoe was now.

"I know what you're thinking. 'Simple isn't always easy.' And you're right. But you're a capable woman, much like myself. I've got a good feeling about you, Robin." Angie leaned forward. Her fingertips curled and gripped the edge of her desk. Her eyes widened as she forced eye contact. The devious, knowing smile on her face curled as well.

"I just need you to do some.... shall we say, cat-sitting for me." Defoe paused for a moment to let her thinly veiled request sink in. She stood up straight again and motioned her head towards the calendar on the wall of her office space.

"We Are LAW is coming up in a matter of weeks. I have big plans for the pay-per-view, you see. And one of the steps in those places is your assignment. You're going to play a crucial role in getting across to everyone that no one crosses the boss - that no one crosses my partners. And that all starts with you making sure that a certain someone is sidelined just moments before her big match...." Angie winked, hinting at a bigger picture.

"Haha, I don't care how you get it done, of course. If you're anything like me, you prefer not to lay all your cards out on the table if you avoid it." Angie spread her fingers and raised her palms to gesture as she continued

"You don't have to tell me everything, of course. I'm sure we'll get there in time, my dear Robin. But if you can see this through, we'll be able to do quite a lot for each other....how does securing a win in the biggest stage we can offer you, We Are LAW, sound to you? Does it sound even sweeter if we team together and share that glory?" Angie raised her eyebrow at Robin. She quickly followed up.

"All rhetorical questions, of course. I know exactly how all of that sounds to you. And if you want to help make it all happen, pull out your phone and take my number down. We can plan out every last detail together on our downtime, backup plans included!"

[Taskmaster12]

This was the in she was looking for. The perfect moment that almost seemed too perfect. Someone giving her the outlet she needed to go further and further right before she was done with her last job and chance to step up? She didn’t know what to think of it all. Still Angie was smart enough to not ask for everything up front. Robin would never give away all of her cards no matter how sweet the offer was and Angie kept that detail a secret likely knowing that from having a few hidden cards herself. All the offer took was dealing with someone already mutually opposed to Robin. If it was a trick Robin would find out. For now the smart thing to do was accept this alliance and see how far it took both of them. Without another word Robin opened her phone and looked at Angie expecting her number.