Post by Grace Taylor on Nov 16, 2014 0:25:30 GMT
A few days before the first official Metro:Pro show, Erik Valdez received a call from Mort Goodman. He had been invited to his offices in New Jersey, an invitation he was happy to accept.
Mort sat in his office with his head buried in paperwork; presumably to do with the opening of the new company. Audrey’s voice came over intercom.
Audrey: “Mr. Goodman, I have a Mr. Valdez here to see you?”
Mort shuffled away some of his papers and responded.
Mort Goodman: “Yes, Audrey. Send him right in.”
Seconds later the door opened and in walked Erik Valdez – Grace’s trainer from Spain who had only recently arrived in the states, much to the dismay of Carter.
Mort stood up to greet him.
Mort Goodman: “Erik, very glad you could meet me. Take a seat.”
Erik took a seat in front of Mort’s desk as Mort returned to his chair.
Erik Valdez: “No problem. What’s up?”
Mort’s face had a sudden look of solemnity about it.
Mort Goodman: “I don’t really know how to put this, it’s a delicate situation.”
Erik looked both intrigued and concerned.
Mort Goodman: “As you are probably aware, I, along with Marty Sunshine, have recently acquired a professional wrestling company. Now, as much as I would love to welcome you aboard, I fear that may be a mistake.”
The Survivor looked stunned. He was confused as to what could have done to warrant such a statement.
Mort Goodman: “You see, your presence here has created a rift between Grace and Carter.”
Erik tried to interject but Mort raised his hand to halt him.
Mort Goodman: “Before you say anything. I know that you haven’t done anything to cause that, but it is what it is. As you are also aware, Grace and Carter will both be coming with me to be a part of Metro:Pro, and I fear that including you in the move would only cause more intense problems between the two.”
Erik nodded slowly in agreement.
Erik Valdez: “I didn’t come here to cause problems.”
Mort Goodman: “I know that, I can tell you are a good man. My Gracie wouldn’t speak so highly of you if you weren’t. That’s why I invited you here today. I thought that if I explained the situation to you then you would understand my reasoning.”
Erik leaned back in his chair.
Erik Valdez: “I’m listening.”
Mort nodded affirmatively.
Mort Goodman: “Gracie’s happiness is very important to me. Watching her get so upset over her disputes with Carter, well it got to me, just like it would any father. Unfortunately, your presence only exacerbates their arguing.”
Erik looked taken aback by what Mort had said.
Erik Valdez: “I had no idea. I knew she had been upset so I went to comfort her. I didn’t enjoy seeing that myself.”
Mort smiled to him.
Mort Goodman: “I appreciate you doing that. You can understand why I will do anything to reduce the risk of that happening again.”
Erik Valdez: “Absolutely. I only want to see her happy too.”
Mort Goodman: “Wonderful. It is because of this that I feel it best that I don’t bring you into the company for now. That’s not to say that I don’t think you’re going to have wonderful career somewhere else.”
Erik let out a light sigh and bared a conceding smile.
Erik Valdez: “I appreciate you taking the time to speak to me personally.”
Erik stood up and reached out to shake Mort’s hand.
Erik Valdez: “Best of luck with the new place, and I’m sure our paths with cross some other time.”
Mort Goodman: “Thank you. And yes, I’m sure of it. Whenever you do speak to Grace, I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention what we’ve discussed. I think that would be best for all involved.”
Erik smiled.
Erik Valdez: “Of course.”
The pair shook hands and Erik then headed towards the door and left.
Before Mort could dive back into his paperwork, the intercom buzzed through.
Audrey: “Mr. Goodman. Your daughters here.”
Mort’s eye’s widened. He knew the chances of Grace having not spotted Erik were slim to none.
Mort Goodman: “Of course, send h-“
Before he could finish Grace came bursting through his door.
Grace Taylor: “Hi Daddy, I don’t like waiting for you to let me in. I feel like a client.”
Grace shrugged and took a seat on the end of her father’s desk, crumpling up the documents underneath her.
Mort Goodman: “It’s so that you don’t interrupt me when I’m in a meeting with a client, sweetheart.”
Mort tried to pull the sheets from under her to no avail.
Grace Taylor: “Speaking of client meetings. Did I just see Erik leave here?”
Mort paused for a second before he responded.
Mort Goodman: “Yes you did.”
Grace Taylor: “Why?”
Mort should have known that such a short answer wasn’t going to appease his daughter.
Mort Goodman: “He just wanted to discuss his future at Metro:PRO.”
Grace smiled.
Grace Taylor: “So he’s joining us there?”
Mort Goodman: “That’s something you’ll have to ask him.”
Grace Taylor: “I will.”
Grace pondered the thought for a second before hopping off the end of the desk.
Grace Taylor: “Okay, so I came here to ask you something.”
Never before had Mort been so happy to hear her say those words - anything to avoid the Erik subject.
Mort Goodman: “Go on.”
Grace Taylor: “I need you to not pick my match.”
Mort looked shocked.
Mort Goodman: “What do you mean? Grace, if I don’t pick your match, Marty does.”
Grace Taylor: “So let him.”
Mort Goodman: “You’re gonna need to explain this to me sweetheart, because I’m not following.”
Grace paced the floor as she explained her reasons to her father.
Grace Taylor: “I don’t want you picking my match because I don’t want people to think I’m being treated differently. When I win, I don’t want people telling me it’s because you picked my opponent.”
Mort stood up from behind the desk.
Mort Goodman: “That’s ridiculous! Besides, who knows what Marty will do to you, who he’ll put you up against?”
Grace Taylor: “I don’t care. At least that way when I win everyone will know that it was down to my skills as a wrestler, and not because of who my daddy is. Please, I need you to do this for me!”
Mort thought it over for a minute while his daughter stood with her arms folded, pleading with her eyes.
Mort Goodman: “Okay, I’ll do it. Or not do it should I say. Just be careful, Gracie. Marty’s not going to be nice.”
Grace smiled widely and rushed over to give her father a hug.]
Grace Taylor: “Thank you, daddy! Oh, and don’t worry about that. I know he won’t be, but I’m ready for whoever or whatever he throws at me.”
Mort smiled at his daughter, proud that she wanted to be so independent despite his fear of what could be in store.
Grace Taylor: “Okay, I gotta run. Carter and I are having a night in and I said I’d pick us up the food. But I’ll call you later. Love you!”
Grace was out the door in a flash, not giving her father the chance to reply as he was left to wonder what would be in store for her.
