Story and character summarization is outlined in Chapter 1.

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I found the restaurant and told the hostess I was meeting someone, and could I just look around first. She said that was fine. I found Mr. McMahon sitting with a very attractive looking older woman. He saw me approach and rose to shake my hand. "I hope I'm not late. I'm kind of slow moving this morning. Please excuse my casual dress, I just really needed to wear something comfortable, I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, can we get you anything? How are you feeling this morning?", Vince asked with a grimace.

"A bit like a wall fell on me, kind of like yesterday but more sore and bruised." I turned to the older woman. "There is a real girl under this colorful facade." as I waved my hand over my generally pathetic condition. With that, she laughed. Up until then she looked kinda pale and horrified.

"Oh, please excuse me. This is my wife Linda." Vince said.

"Its very nice to meet you," and I shook her hand. "Are you sure you don't need anything, dear?" she asked. "Nothing a large bottle of Advil won't cure." I replied, with that, I rattle my purse and you could hear the pills rattle. "I know it looks really bad but honestly, I will be fine." I assured them both.

"I couldn't help but notice you taking care of Steve earlier. Did he give you any problems?" Linda asked kind of hesitantly.

"Nothing a quick kick to the backside didn't cure, well that and to bringing his ego down several pegs. He seems to be nursing a rather nasty hangover so I sent him to bed with some breakfast and black coffee; I told him I would call to make sure he was up later this afternoon so he wouldn't be late for tonight's show. I think he was more dazed and confused that I looked like I belonged in the ICU wing of the County Hospital than standing there giving him a what for and how do you do. Oh well, keeps them on their toes." Just then, the server arrived to take our orders. Linda ordered a bagel and tea, Vince ordered the special, and I ordered a blueberry muffin heated with some bacon, an orange juice and a very large coffee. "Oh Vince, thank you so much for having dinner sent up to my room last night. That really did help to settle my stomach." cringes "I can call you Vince, can't I? Or, do you prefer Mr. McMahon?" Open mouth insert foot. Great one Izzie, way to make a first impression.

He cleared his throate and laughed a little. "It was the least I could do, it seemed like you had been through enough last night. Vince is fine. We are pretty informal for the most part." Our meals came and we ate and chatted easily.

"Ok, well when can you start?" Vince asked.

giggle "Um, now? Yesterday?" I answered.

"Ok." Was the reply I got. "I was kidding, well not really. Look, I got laid off about eight months ago and my Unemployment runs out in about a month, so yeah I could start today, but I have my flight home and I only had enough clothes for a couple of days." I reasoned.

Linda spoke up, "Well, that's easily resolved. We will change your flight to the Burlington show. I have your corporate credit card here and I'm sure you would be able to get what you needed with that. We will be in Massachusetts by Friday, so you go home from there for the weekend and then leave out on Monday for the next show. I will make sure your car is delivered Friday to your house. Here is a gas card for you and I took the liberty of getting you a cellphone and a laptop, which I am sure you will end up being your right and left arms." I had not even seen the pile of goodies she had stashed for me. It's like Christmas morning. She handed me a large envelope. "Here is your contract and necessary paperwork to be filled out. Review it, sign it and I will get everything processed at the home office. There is a 1,000 cash in there to get you started until payday, which is the 5th and 20th of each month. One of the papers in there is for direct deposit, fill it out and I will make sure your first check goes in on the 5th. Any questions?" Linda concluded.

blink"Um, No? There are very few times that I have or will be struck dumb with shock. This I can count as one of them." They laughed at that. "Ok, so how does this work. I know I will be traveling with them, working as a P.A. for them and you. Generally, like a liaison?" I asked them.

"Yes. Mostly, you will be on the road. You can work virtually if need be, but in the beginning, I would like you to be there for them and to make your presence know, interact with them and develop a rapport." Linda answered.

"Linda, I don't really see that as a problem." Vince commented.

snicker "Are you saying I come off too strong?" I asked Vince innocently.

"For this group? No. I think you are just what we and they need." He answered honestly with a grin.

I blush at that one. I really think I made the right decision this time. I'm sure it will be hard, but I can't wait to get started. "Linda, what is the attire? Please tell me I can wear jeans and sneakers on the road? I don't think I can deal with backstage in heels and a skirt based on what I saw last night." I pleaded.

"Oh, definitely. Now, I would like you to make it to the main office at least once when we are in town, dress a little nicer in the office. Business suit is not required for those visits, but we have quarterly Board meetings, which I will need you to attend and you will need to dress accordingly for that." She informed me.

Just then, a large dark shadow overtook the table. Where'd all the light go? Is this going to be a normal everyday occurance??

"Vince, Linda good to see you. How are you feeling this morning Ms. Izzie?" Mark asked.

I turn around and there are Twin Oaks and my Little Man. There is a collective gasp among them. "Oh now, I know it looks bad, but I am highly medicated on Advil and caffeine right now, so the aches and pains are not so bad. Don't worry, you will see my bright and shining face soon enough once this bluish monstrosity goes away," as I vaguely wave my hand across my face. Mark is grimacing, Glen is pale and Paul looks like he is going to be sick. By now the black and blue from the bridge of my nose has move across both my eyes. Yes, I do look like a raccoon. I cleaned and redressed the nasty cut on my forehead this morning. My lip still had that gash which was healing over. There was a bruise on my left jawbone too. I'm glad I wore long sleeves then they won't see the bruises and scratches on my arms and back. "I'm fine, so stop your worrying." I waved it off.

"Baby doll, we are so sorry about this …" Mark started.

"What have I told you about pet names Mark?" I asked. I hate to harp on it because he seems sincere, but realy, I don't know him that well yet.

"Not to use them. It just that …" He started.

"No. I told you that I did not know you well enough for you to call me by such names. Now, when we do get to know each other better, I will allow it since you can't seem to help yourself. But, you will not call me any pet names until I tell you, you can, are we understood?" I informed him.

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry. It slipped." He mumbled.

"Well, since you look so pitiful, I will let this one go, but don't make a habit of it." wagging my finger at him. He looked bashful and dually chastened. Glenn was snickering at him, which warranted a glare causing him to swallow his snicker with an audible gulp. Paulie just looked beside himself. I went over and patted his hand to reassure him. "Paulie, it was an accident, ok. I do not blame your or anyone for that matter. Its not very often really good friends fall into your life; you just took the direct root, ok? That's all." With that, he smiled. Oh, he's a sweetie. His whole face lights up when he really smiles. Looks like a little kid when he does that. "Well then, Little Man, I don't want to keep you and the Twin Oaks from your breakfast, I'm sure you're all famished." I told them all.

"Will we see you before you leave?" Paulie asked kind of nervously.

"Well actually I'm not. I'm afraid your stuck with me from here on out. I will be off this weekend though. We will be in Mass on Friday, and I really need to get home to tie up some loose ends there but I will be back out with you guys on Monday." There are collective grins at that statement. "You boys go get your breakfast before they stop serving now shoo." They left to find a table.

"Little Man and Twin Oaks?" Linda asked with a perplexed look on her face.

"Oh, sorry. I did not know their names most of last night so that was how I differentiated them. Paulie reminds me of a little big man and Mark and Glenn remind me of two tree trunks." I explained.

They both had a laugh at that. "Well, let's finish up here and get over to the arena. We can get you started today with introductions. I don't want you working too hard yet. Go take your things to your room and I will send you back with some paperwork to start on later. Oh I know!" Linda pulls out her cellphone and makes a call. "Stephanie dear, would you be available to take Izzie to the mall? She needs to pick up some clothes and necessities to get her until Friday. … You will, great! Are you at the arena yet? … Ok, well we are heading there shortly, and then you two can get acquainted and go from there? … Alright dear, love you too." Linda hung up with Stephanie. "How does that sound to you?", She asked. "That is just fine Linda. I would like to drop this stuff off at my room and then sort somethings out. What time are we leaving? I need to call my parents and let them know that I will be staying and not to go to the airport tonight." I replied.

"How about a half an hour? We can tie up a few of our loose ends and then we will meet in the lobby say about 10? You and Stephanie can go over some of your duties, start meeting everyone and see about getting some things organized. I want you to come back here for a little rest though. I would like you at the show tonight so you can see what goes on backstage. You will not be required to be backstage for the shows, as most of your work will be completed before the start of that day's show. We can work out the ins and outs of what schedule you want to work that best suites you as we go. Ok." Linda informed me.

"That's fine." I grabbed my stuff, headed up to my room, and called Mom. She was not too happy that I was not coming home tonight, but she understood. She knew how hard I had been looking for a job and was glad for me. I let her know everything that was going on and gave her my new cell number so she could reach me whenever. After I finished with Mom, I settled in, glanced over the paperwork and contract. I would go over them more later on. Grabbed my laptop, credit card, cash and my cell and I was off.