Prologue

Throughout his entire life, he would have never imagined this would ever happen. It was 1997, one week before Survivor Series to be more precise, and here he stood next to Paul, trying to sort out some plans for the upcoming Pay Per View. They both stood over the speaker phone, talking to the boss to give their opinions: specifically concerning the current WWF Champion at the time, Bret Hart.

"But Vince that is B.S! He demands all that money-and for what? What has he ever done to earn that huge pay check?" Paul exclaimed. "Next thing you know, his demands will be driving this company completely to the ground!"

"I know….but guys there is little I can do." Shawn saw Paul glance at him and he knew it was his time to chime in.

"Well Vince, perhaps during my match with him this coming Sunday, we should get the belt off of him…"

"What are you talking about, Shawn?" Vince asked.

"What I am saying is, I will do whatever you want; whether we do a fast count or have me put him into a hold and have someone ring the bell, it doesn't matter. You all have put up with so much from me-I will do whatever it takes-my loyalty is here with you." Shawn paused just long enough for Vince to think of a response.

"Well, that sounds pretty serious….I have until Saturday to talk to Bret. But that may have to be a last resort, if not real option. I'll see what I can do…." Shawn had then heard the dial tone click on as Vince had obviously replaced the receiver on the other end. He then looked at Paul, stunned.

"So, you think he'll actually go for it?" Paul had begun.

"We'll just see I guess….we'll just have to see…" Shawn had replied as he stared out into the front view window.

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Shawn closed his eyes tightly at the very memory of this conversation running through his mind. It was now eight or so years later and here he stood, inside a WWE men's locker room pondering over the events leading to Survivor Series of 1997. Had it been that long since the infamous Bret Hart Screw job took place? Why was he still thinking about it? As he attempted to find the answers, the door's slamming hinges directly behind him had disrupted his thoughts. He turned his head to see the one and only Vince, standing right behind him.

"So, you ready for tonight?" Vince asked apprehensively.

"I suppose…explain to me this-why are we doing this again?" Shawn rubbed his eyes impatiently as he sat there. For the night's main event-Vince was scheduled to do a Bret Hart DVD review….and then something about himself getting a tongue lashing-but the results of this developing storyline were still quite vague to the Show Stopper.

"To raise ratings and sell DVD's…" The boss finally replied as he stood there. His answer, however, still didn't give the clarity Shawn's curious mind had been looking for; but nonetheless, he gave his trust worthy boss the benefit of the doubt.

"Alright, let's do it then." Shawn pulled up his pants' leg as he followed Vince out the door.

Later That Night:

Vince remained in the middle of the ring getting ready for what he liked to call: the promo of the night. The audience surrounding him began to get louder with each passing second as his words grew more intense.

"Who out of you thinks I was right that night in Montreal? Who thinks Bret was…wrong…?" He ignored the crowd's booing reaction as he continued. "You see what just happened? I just got you to give me the answer that I wanted to hear…I tricked you. Just like I tricked Bret Hart on that very fateful night-and speaking of which…" he was about to continue when Shawn appeared making his way down the ramp. Vince looked on as Shawn's face took a solemn expression; which was odd, the Chairman thought. Shawn's music stopped as he finally approached Vince, although seemingly hesitant to do so.

"Vince," Shawn leaned in and whispered in his ear, "I think you should really hear me out here….."

"What?" Vince then heard the arena calling Bret's name and acknowledged it faithfully. "Yes, you want Bret, of course you do," he turned to face Shawn once again, "come on, Shawn….what's the matter? Listen, what ever it is that you want to say to me, you can say in front of them, go on, and say whatever it is you need to say-you're Shawn Michaels." Vince's eyes remained set on Shawn's face for a few moments and what he saw, he hadn't liked in the least. The show stopper took the microphone finally, and began his speech.

"Now, Vince, I have been asked time and time again and I have answered this question sincerely-if I could do it again, if the circumstances were exactly the same, Shawn, would you do it all over again? And I have given the same exact answer every single time-yes, I would do it again." He was interrupted by Vince's abrupt applause, causing him to become a little more nervous. "Now, it's one thing for Bret to be living that same night over and over, but for YOU to be living in that moment time and time again-Vince, I think it's time that you let it go….I think it's time that you move on….I mean don't you think that its time to you know, grow up a little bit?" the crowd was instilled with silence as a creepy, almost embarrassed grin swept across Vince's face. Shawn handed back the microphone as he became filled with instant regret. Only the lord could have seen this coming…but Shawn was completely unaware of how bad his situation was about to get. Slowly, Vince responded.

"Now, Shawn, let me see if I got this moving on stuff straight…..there have been plenty of people who have 'moved on', hell, Buddy Roger's name was mentioned earlier, he has moved on," The Chairman paused to let the effects of his words sink in, "Shawn the fact of the matter is a lot of people have moved on…but one name has stayed constant. And that name, is McMahon. You don't want me to move on, because you know damn well what will happen if I do. I can make you move on, with just a snap of my fingers. You have responsibilities now, Shawn. A family, a wife at home-you provide a good education and it would be a rather shame if I were to take that all away from you, now wouldn't it?" Shawn thought about Vince's last words as the camera man zoomed in on his emotionless face; he was so stuck in thought-he didn't know how to react when the camera's lens hit him. And there his boss was, still complaining. Finally, after what seemed to be for an eternity, Vince went silent. Once he did so, Shawn began to take off his jacket, which had sent Vince practically running out of the ring. As Shawn remained standing there, his thoughts began to race. He continued to ponder over how bad the situation might become, he was not aware of how horrible things were about to get. Vince wasn't going to back down, he silently thought to himself, not if Vince himself had anything to say about it.

Author's Note: Now I know it wasn't as good as what it could have been, but seriously, what did you think? any opinions welcome, thanks!