Fear Is Just for Losers
Live for the Moment
Early November
I swore quietly to myself. What did I honestly think I was doing? The police would find me in no time and drag me back anyway. So, why should I embarrass myself by making the whole capitol of Raleigh search for me?
I shook my head. Why was I thinking like that? I did it to get away…
Lifting my arm, I gazed at the large bruise where my father’s hand had pinned me against the wall. My head spun with images of his drunken speech and the gleaming silver knife in his hand. Then, the sudden pinch as the blade cut a long line across my chest.
I’d been out walking the crowded streets all morning searching for a job. I entered store after store, filling out the same information and getting the same response.
“We’ll call you.”
Like hell they will! I’d have to call in a few days just to make sure that someone knew that my application was in existence!
But, I wasn’t going to give up yet.
What did I honestly think I was going to get being a runaway? That I was going to be able to go to college and become this important veterinarian who would save the lives of innocent animals? I wish I could, but what was some 19 year old runaway really going to be capable of doing- especially one with only a bank card for 2,000 dollars and a backpack full of clothes? The odds of being successful were slim to none.
I flipped my long red hair and continued. Maybe if I got a job and saved up enough money, I would be able to at least get myself a small place or something. Then, things wouldn’t be so bad.
I quickly ran into a small corner shop and filled out an application. They didn’t look too interested when I handed it to a small woman behind the counter. I shrugged. Guess I’m not going to get that job.
Then, I merged into the crowd while it started to rain. Great- just what I needed. And I had no umbrella and nowhere to go. I sighed and stopped underneath the tarp of the largest arena in the capitol. At least here I could wait until it slowed down enough to continue.
I began to read the large bulletins that hung against the windows. The Barnum and Bailey Circus coming next week… an ad for a lost cat… various posters for local bands playing shows and then at the bottom of them all was a small piece of paper.
“Looking for friendly, female applicants to take a multiple task position- ability to travel is mandatory. Great pay and lots of benefits. Please contact Vince McMahon.”
Then at the bottom of the paper was a small number and a note.
“Call or come in to pick up an application today!”
I snorted. “It sounds too good to be true.”
Then, I pulled the double doors open and walked up to the woman at the front desk. She glanced at me while she painted her nails a bright pink.
“Umm… I was hoping to grab an application for the job posted outside.”
“You mean the one working for Mr. McMahon?”
I nodded my head. Yeah, I think that was his name.
She pointed to a heavy door on my right. “You can pick one up in there. Talk to his secretary.”
“Thank you.” I replied and headed for the room she had been referring to. I knocked carefully and opened it just enough to slip through.
There was another woman sitting behind the desk. She was beautiful with full, long brown hair. I walked up to the counter and smiled at her.
“Are you applying for the position?” She spoke with a kind voice.
“Yes, please.” I answered, feeling very underdressed.
Then, she handed me a clipboard. “Good luck.”
I wasn’t sure how she meant that, but I went and sat down at a nearby bench. I reviewed the long application before proceeding.
They wanted all the usual stuff: name, birth date, and social security number… Then there was another whole section that wanted to know if I had a fear of flying or was extremely camera shy. I shook my head. What the heck was all this?
Suddenly, the secretary’s voice broke my silence. “Mr. McMahon?”
“Yes, Taryn?” A deep voice rang around the room.
“You have another applicant.”
I straightened up as the man walked into the room to gaze at me.
“Well, that’s more like it.” He smiled. “What’s your name?”
I put down the application and stood up to shake his hand. That would make a good impression, right?
I pushed my hand out in front of me. “My name is Alexa. It’s nice to meet you.”
He let his hand grasp mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please, bring your application and come into my office.”
Shock ran through my veins as he turned and opened a small door behind his secretary. I ran back to grab my untouched application and follow him through the door.
When I entered, he was already standing behind the large desk. “Please have a seat.” He gestured to a few chairs in front of him. I walked over and sat down on one.
Mr. McMahon sat down and smiled. “So, tell me a little about yourself, Alexa.”
I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m 19 years old…” My head shot a warning at me. Maybe he wouldn’t consider someone so young for the job. I better cover my butt before it’s too late…
“I’m still fairly young, but I’m sure I can handle anything that you’d like me to do. I’m a really hard worker and show up to work on time… I learn pretty easily too…” My voice trailed off.
He nodded silently. “Do you know who I am?”
The color drained from my face. “Maybe not the way I should.” I admitted.
He laughed mightily. “I’m Vince McMahon! I own the most successful pro wrestling company in the world!”
I suddenly remembered the wrestling shows that I flipped on TV every once and a while- the ones where Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin reigned.
I nodded, understanding.
“The job you are applying for will have you doing little things around the arena’s we are playing at. Won’t your parents be upset?”
I automatically rubbed the bruise on my arm. “No.”
Mr. McMahon stood and walked around his desk to me. He reached over and took my arm in his hand.
“But, you’ll be away almost all of the time…” He let his eyes lower and rest on the bruise. He lifted my arm up to get a better look of it. Suddenly, realization settled over his face. He must have made out the imprint of my father’s hand.
“I see.” He answered. Then, he walked back around the desk and sat down.
“You’re trying to get away, then.”
I nodded, feeling a bit ashamed.
“Well, then I’d be happy to hire you.”
My eyes widened. “Really?”
He smiled. “There’s nothing I like more than giving a good job to such a beautiful young lady. Especially if she’s not being treated right.”
I swallowed. Was he really serious?!
“Let me describe the position and you can tell me if it’s something you’d be interested in doing.” He nodded his head and continued. “I will have you doing small little things around here like delivering mail; maybe even a little secretary and tech work if they need help. Other than that, I'm going to have you learning our schedule and letting each of the guys know when they need to be in the ring.”
I nodded. That didn’t sound too hard.
“So, you get the privilege of working directly with the guys. Maybe later after you’ve got a handle on everything I’ll have you doing a little acting on camera. If you’re good at it, I may just team you up with one of my guys and teach you to wrestle.”
My head spun.
Mr. McMahon smiled happily to himself. “What do you think?”
I was speechless. “Mr. McMahon…this is just…”
“Please. Call me Vince.”
I shook my head. “This is more than I could have ever asked for.”
He nodded. “I’ll start you off at a little over five grand a month.”
My mouth dropped. Five grand?! I was expecting $7.50 an hour at all the local stores!
“But, don’t worry; there are plenty of things that can get you bonuses and vacation time. I’m not an unreasonable man.”
“Thank you so much!” I blinked. “I won’t let you down.”
The man grinned. “I wouldn’t doubt it.”
I nodded.
“Great. Then, you’re hired. Be here at noon tomorrow and we’ll get you started. We’ll send you to Eliza and get you a nice wardrobe and some make up.”
I stood and reached over to shake his hand. “Thank you so much, Mr. McMahon!”
“Vince." He reminded. "It’s no problem at all. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I grinned and sprinted out of the arena, feeling as if I was on top of the world.
I swore quietly to myself. What did I honestly think I was doing? The police would find me in no time and drag me back anyway. So, why should I embarrass myself by making the whole capitol of Raleigh search for me?
I shook my head. Why was I thinking like that? I did it to get away…
Lifting my arm, I gazed at the large bruise where my father’s hand had pinned me against the wall. My head spun with images of his drunken speech and the gleaming silver knife in his hand. Then, the sudden pinch as the blade cut a long line across my chest.
I’d been out walking the crowded streets all morning searching for a job. I entered store after store, filling out the same information and getting the same response.
“We’ll call you.”
Like hell they will! I’d have to call in a few days just to make sure that someone knew that my application was in existence!
But, I wasn’t going to give up yet.
What did I honestly think I was going to get being a runaway? That I was going to be able to go to college and become this important veterinarian who would save the lives of innocent animals? I wish I could, but what was some 19 year old runaway really going to be capable of doing- especially one with only a bank card for 2,000 dollars and a backpack full of clothes? The odds of being successful were slim to none.
I flipped my long red hair and continued. Maybe if I got a job and saved up enough money, I would be able to at least get myself a small place or something. Then, things wouldn’t be so bad.
I quickly ran into a small corner shop and filled out an application. They didn’t look too interested when I handed it to a small woman behind the counter. I shrugged. Guess I’m not going to get that job.
Then, I merged into the crowd while it started to rain. Great- just what I needed. And I had no umbrella and nowhere to go. I sighed and stopped underneath the tarp of the largest arena in the capitol. At least here I could wait until it slowed down enough to continue.
I began to read the large bulletins that hung against the windows. The Barnum and Bailey Circus coming next week… an ad for a lost cat… various posters for local bands playing shows and then at the bottom of them all was a small piece of paper.
“Looking for friendly, female applicants to take a multiple task position- ability to travel is mandatory. Great pay and lots of benefits. Please contact Vince McMahon.”
Then at the bottom of the paper was a small number and a note.
“Call or come in to pick up an application today!”
I snorted. “It sounds too good to be true.”
Then, I pulled the double doors open and walked up to the woman at the front desk. She glanced at me while she painted her nails a bright pink.
“Umm… I was hoping to grab an application for the job posted outside.”
“You mean the one working for Mr. McMahon?”
I nodded my head. Yeah, I think that was his name.
She pointed to a heavy door on my right. “You can pick one up in there. Talk to his secretary.”
“Thank you.” I replied and headed for the room she had been referring to. I knocked carefully and opened it just enough to slip through.
There was another woman sitting behind the desk. She was beautiful with full, long brown hair. I walked up to the counter and smiled at her.
“Are you applying for the position?” She spoke with a kind voice.
“Yes, please.” I answered, feeling very underdressed.
Then, she handed me a clipboard. “Good luck.”
I wasn’t sure how she meant that, but I went and sat down at a nearby bench. I reviewed the long application before proceeding.
They wanted all the usual stuff: name, birth date, and social security number… Then there was another whole section that wanted to know if I had a fear of flying or was extremely camera shy. I shook my head. What the heck was all this?
Suddenly, the secretary’s voice broke my silence. “Mr. McMahon?”
“Yes, Taryn?” A deep voice rang around the room.
“You have another applicant.”
I straightened up as the man walked into the room to gaze at me.
“Well, that’s more like it.” He smiled. “What’s your name?”
I put down the application and stood up to shake his hand. That would make a good impression, right?
I pushed my hand out in front of me. “My name is Alexa. It’s nice to meet you.”
He let his hand grasp mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please, bring your application and come into my office.”
Shock ran through my veins as he turned and opened a small door behind his secretary. I ran back to grab my untouched application and follow him through the door.
When I entered, he was already standing behind the large desk. “Please have a seat.” He gestured to a few chairs in front of him. I walked over and sat down on one.
Mr. McMahon sat down and smiled. “So, tell me a little about yourself, Alexa.”
I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m 19 years old…” My head shot a warning at me. Maybe he wouldn’t consider someone so young for the job. I better cover my butt before it’s too late…
“I’m still fairly young, but I’m sure I can handle anything that you’d like me to do. I’m a really hard worker and show up to work on time… I learn pretty easily too…” My voice trailed off.
He nodded silently. “Do you know who I am?”
The color drained from my face. “Maybe not the way I should.” I admitted.
He laughed mightily. “I’m Vince McMahon! I own the most successful pro wrestling company in the world!”
I suddenly remembered the wrestling shows that I flipped on TV every once and a while- the ones where Triple H and Stone Cold Steve Austin reigned.
I nodded, understanding.
“The job you are applying for will have you doing little things around the arena’s we are playing at. Won’t your parents be upset?”
I automatically rubbed the bruise on my arm. “No.”
Mr. McMahon stood and walked around his desk to me. He reached over and took my arm in his hand.
“But, you’ll be away almost all of the time…” He let his eyes lower and rest on the bruise. He lifted my arm up to get a better look of it. Suddenly, realization settled over his face. He must have made out the imprint of my father’s hand.
“I see.” He answered. Then, he walked back around the desk and sat down.
“You’re trying to get away, then.”
I nodded, feeling a bit ashamed.
“Well, then I’d be happy to hire you.”
My eyes widened. “Really?”
He smiled. “There’s nothing I like more than giving a good job to such a beautiful young lady. Especially if she’s not being treated right.”
I swallowed. Was he really serious?!
“Let me describe the position and you can tell me if it’s something you’d be interested in doing.” He nodded his head and continued. “I will have you doing small little things around here like delivering mail; maybe even a little secretary and tech work if they need help. Other than that, I'm going to have you learning our schedule and letting each of the guys know when they need to be in the ring.”
I nodded. That didn’t sound too hard.
“So, you get the privilege of working directly with the guys. Maybe later after you’ve got a handle on everything I’ll have you doing a little acting on camera. If you’re good at it, I may just team you up with one of my guys and teach you to wrestle.”
My head spun.
Mr. McMahon smiled happily to himself. “What do you think?”
I was speechless. “Mr. McMahon…this is just…”
“Please. Call me Vince.”
I shook my head. “This is more than I could have ever asked for.”
He nodded. “I’ll start you off at a little over five grand a month.”
My mouth dropped. Five grand?! I was expecting $7.50 an hour at all the local stores!
“But, don’t worry; there are plenty of things that can get you bonuses and vacation time. I’m not an unreasonable man.”
“Thank you so much!” I blinked. “I won’t let you down.”
The man grinned. “I wouldn’t doubt it.”
I nodded.
“Great. Then, you’re hired. Be here at noon tomorrow and we’ll get you started. We’ll send you to Eliza and get you a nice wardrobe and some make up.”
I stood and reached over to shake his hand. “Thank you so much, Mr. McMahon!”
“Vince." He reminded. "It’s no problem at all. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I grinned and sprinted out of the arena, feeling as if I was on top of the world.
♠ ♠ ♠
Don't be too hard on me, okay? I'm not saying that this story is correct with personalities all the time. It's a fan fiction, guys. Roll with it, kay?