Chapter 16
Jake and Traci were getting ready to go to the Impact taping. Jake went over to a lockbox and opened it. He pulled out the contract and put it in his bag. "You ready to go?" Traci asks. "Just about," Jake says. "You really think the guy will show up?" Traci asks. "Well why would he help me if he didn't want a shot at the NWA title," Jake says. "I just want to get though the day. Find out who this guy is and we can get rid of him," Traci says.
"Not nearly as much as me," Jake says putting a spare role of tape into his bag. "Alright come on lets go," Traci says. "Hold on a second," Jake says. "What?" Traci asks. Jake pulls her into a kiss. "That," Jake says.
The guy was driving to the Impact taping. He wanted to get there early enough to slip in and get ready with out any noticing. He parked the car and slipped in. He went to the room he was using to hid out in and change into his gear. It used to be a dressing room and even had a monitor so he could see what was going on. But thanks to construction in the surrounding halls the room was unused now.
The guy was getting tense. All he had to was reveal his face and sign that contract. He knew almost every had a guess about who he was and why he was after Jake. "It won't be too much longer," he thought.
Jim Cornett and Dixie Carter were waiting for Jake to arrive. "What time he usually get her?" Dixie asks. "I'm not really sure," Jim says. Terry Taylor walks in the room. "Is Jake here yet?" He asks. "No," both Jim and Dixie say at the same time. "Jim do you remember the good old days when the champ had to be the first to show up," Terry says.
"To be fair Terry talent isn't due to arrive for another three hours," Dixie says. "The real question is will the guy show up," Jim says. "So do you two think the guy really is?" Terry asks. "Jarrett," Dixie says. "Chris Hero," Jim says. "What about you Terry. Who do you think it is?" Dixie asks. "Gilbert," Terry says. "Doug Gilbert?" Jim asks. "No not Doug. Hotstuff Eddie Gilbert," Terry says.
"I thought he died," Dixie says. "He did but this is the kind of thing that the little General would pull," Terry says with a small smile on his face. "So really Terry who do you think it is?" Jim asks. "I have no idea," Terry says.
Jake and Traci walked into the Impact zone. They were only a few people there already. "I'm going to head for male dressing room," Jake says. "Alright be careful," Traci says. "I'm always careful well sort of," Jake says.
Traci walked around and saw Christy pre taping her little segments that happen before each commercial break. "Alright stay tuned because up next we the confrontation between Jake Reed and the mysterious guy," Christy says doing the filming. "Alright and cut. Good job and that is a wrap Christy," the director says.
"Hey Christy," Traci says. "Hi Traci. Hey is Jake here?" Christy asks. "Yeah he was going to the male locker room," Traci says. "I have to ask does Jake really have an open contract for the guy or is it a ploy to draw the guy out?" Christy asks.
"It's real," Traci says. "Man Jake has a lot of guts to give to a title shot with out even knowing who the guy is," Christy says. "Jake knows it's the best way to draw the guy out. Remember he has to unmask before he gets the title shot," Traci says.
Jake walks into the locker room and sees Shane Douglas holding court. "Alright guys we are talking bets. Last chance on who is the freak in the mask," Shane yells. "Glade to see my problems are a chance for you to make a buck Douglas," Jake says sarcastically. "Hey look Jake I hope everything goes well for you but man you know if the roles were reversed you would be doing the same thing," Shane says.
"No I wouldn't. If the roles were reversed I would be Jarrett at even odds so I wouldn't have to pay as much money if he's the one," Jake says. "That's right you would because Corino told me how cheap you are," Shane says. "I'm not cheap I'm just careful with my money. But get your bets down now folks because tonight your last night," Jake says.
The show moved on until the final segment that was when Jake's segment was set for. Jake and Traci were waiting knowing that the time was close. "Well that was the last match as soon as both Sonjay and Petey are gone we go out," Jake says.
Jerry Lynn comes up to them. "Alright guys you on," he says. Jake's music hits and he and Traci head to the ring. Jake has a microphone. "Alright get out here now," Jake says.
The lights go out. When they come on the guy in is in the ring still wearing a mask. "You get your title shot at Hard Justice all you have to do is remove that mask," Jake says. The guy acts like he is going for his mask when he kicks Jake and hits the unprettier. Traci is on shock and just stands there when the guy removes his mask to reveal Christian Cage.