(Jay)

Jay stopped by a local backyard wrestling promotion where he knew the owner, someone who ran shows every weekend out of his home. 

He drove through a quiet community of trailer homes until he reached a corner lot with a chain link fence. After parking his truck, Jay closed the door, letting the clunk echo in the quiet. He didn't bother with the cracked walkway, instead cutting straight across the dried, patchy grass toward the side of the house, following the distant sound of music and yelling.

"No one’s inside, we’re all out back,” said a tall man in a flannel shirt. His golden brown hair was shaggy and frizzy, hanging down to the back of his neck and giving him the vibe of a rock singer straight out of the ’70s.

Jay nodded and made his way around to the backyard, where a small crowd stood watching two local wrestlers in a makeshift ring.

“Jay! I was wondering when you’d come around,” said a familiar raspy voice.

A tall man with long black-and-grey hair walked toward him. He wore a white t-shirt with a Native war axe printed in the center.

“Chief Onion!” Jay grinned, hugging him.

Chief Onion was a legend, a veteran of the early indie scene with multiple championships under his belt.

“I hear you’re still in the wrestling game?” Jay asked.

“For fun. Nothing serious anymore,” Onion said, adjusting his shirt as he casually picked up soda cans from the lawn and tossed them into a trash bag.

“I came all this way because. . .”

“You want to offer me a job. I know. Word gets around fast,” Onion said, smirking as he shook a half-full soda can.

“I’m flattered, but I gotta turn you down. Still, I’ve got someone you should meet. Not ready yet, but in a year or two, she’ll be ready to debut.”

“Let me guess… someone in your family? First your wife, now your daughter?” Jay teased.

“She’s got the fire. Trust me,” Chief said, tying up the bag and tossing it in the bin by the fence.

Jay glanced at the smoking grill by the trailer, feeling the heat on his face. He stumbled slightly on a can as they walked.

“I was hoping to get some advice from you,” Jay said, still trailing behind.

Chief Onion didn’t respond right away. He used his trash picker like a cane and stared out across the lawn.

“It’s a hard road, Jay. I’ll share something my old boss once told me: “Your fans make the promotion grow, keep your talent happy, be creative with feuds and stories, and take nobody and turn them into someone fans believe in.”

Jay let the words sink in, then offered one last pitch.

“You sure you won’t reconsider? I’ll make you a top executive. You’ve still got a following. Your MeTube channel gets views like crazy.”

Chief Onion just kept cleaning up, handling the discarded cans with casual and bored authority.

Jay finally sighed and turned back toward his truck.

“Jay!” Chief Onion suddenly called out.

Jay stopped, turning as the older man grunted with effort to pull a torn scrap of paper from his shirt pocket.

“I’ve got a contact. She’s a free agent who worked in two of the Big Four promotions. Call her. She’s talented, has experience, and a fanbase that could boost what you’re building.”

Jay took the paper with a nod of thanks. It was a creased, yellow scrap ripped from a notepad, Scrawled across it in black ink was a name : "Alexis.”

Jay stood by his open truck door, staring down at the fragment. The name sent a small, tight thrill of anxiety through his chest. 

Chief Onion gave a casual salute, tossing the last handful of cans into a rattling bag.

Jay finally climbed into his truck, pocketing the fragile paper, and drove off.

Jay spent the next three days debating the contact before finally returning to his base of operations.

Jay arrived back at the Thunderbird Wrestling warehouse, a loud, buzzing atmosphere inside. From the parking lot, he could already hear the clashing sounds of training.

Nakia Water was hammering away at a punching bag near Jay’s office. Jade Turquoise spotted Mia Fox as she pushed through her final reps on the bench press. Over by the ring, Citana Star, Sha Warpony, and Syuri Kazumi watched Desirae Bear boast about her win over Tessa Bison, who sat on the ring apron cooling down with a towel around her neck.

“Jay! You missed Ravina vs. Kazumi! That match was pay-per-view worthy,” Kaya Rain called out, clipboard in hand as she jotted down notes on each wrestler’s performance.

“That match deserved a crowd,” Tessa said between deep breaths, wiping sweat from her brow.

Jay stepped into the warehouse with a box in his arms, something he’d picked up on the way back, its contents unknown to the others.