After a late dinner of hotel room service, Kenny ended up doing a deep dive of internet research on Scout. He watched her interviews, appearances on late night talk shows…even the look on her face when her name wasn't read as the winner at the Oscars.
He had been a little surprised when he saw the tailored tuxedo she wore and the starlet in the red, slinky gown that had been her date. Scout was in the tuxedo, her hair was glossy and intricately twisted up while she was dripping in jewels at her neck.
She fascinated him. It was clear she still walked that line between a normal person and potential super star…and her potential seemed to be exponential.
There were pictures of her at University of Virginia basketball games with her former boyfriend named Sean. Kenny knew it was former, because there were loads of articles about her breakup just before awards season.
He could imagine how that played out, knowing how wrestling sites were he could barely fathom how the major Hollywood gossip sites and press were.
Before turning in for the night, he followed the hashtags on social media to see what people were saying about what happened at AEW Dynamite.
"One-off stunt casting. Got a cheap pop from the hometown."
"Possible work."
"Showmance."
"The eye fucks to end all eye fucks."
"I ship it."
"Scout isn't Kota."
The last one was true, but it didn't take away the chemistry between them on screen. Plus she seemed to enjoy the playful aspect of it all, and sold absolutely everything he suggested.
Kenny thought about the angles for the storyline, but the one he liked best was tempting her, corrupting her and then eventually she would be the boss…a power transfer. It would start slow and build, but be better than stories of the same ilk in other promotions.
They would only have her for a short time if she agreed, they would need to keep the story fast and tight.
He was still scrolling through YouTube videos of her when a text came thru that only said, "What have you gotten me in to?"
It was nearly one in the morning, but Kenny took another gamble in a matter of hours and called her number. Scout didn't say hello when she answered and just launched into conversation.
"I looked up what Valets do. If that's the angle you're thinking I want to flip it upside down."
He wondered if she googled him, too.
Kenny sat up in bed and turned on the bedside light, "So you're considering it?"
Scout sighed, "I have exactly five thousand words of my follow up novel. Which is barely anything. I'm not good at sitting around after the past few years I've had. I guess I'm looking for some inspiration…and maybe some fun. I haven't gotten used to being back home full time. I also like surprising people, and I feel the script with Brandi and working with you could surprise a lot of people. I know I'm talking a lot, I'm just firing on all cylinders."
He could understand all most all of that, "I'm thinking of a valet to manager story. You just get more powerful. We don't have to do the normal shit at all."
"I guess…why me?"
Kenny wanted to laugh, but managed to keep it together, "I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it's because your marketable. You are super marketable. And I also like doing things that surprise people. You're a star. I'm a star. But in different worlds. It's a crossover for the ages. Think of all the people who will watch wrestling for you? And then might buy your book or watch your movie because of me?"
She was quiet on her end of the line, so he continued, "But that's not the only reason. It was fun. And there was something there. You played off me perfectly and the fans ate it up. Game recognizes game, right?"
Scout sighed, "I still need to talk to my agent. But I am in. I must be crazy."
Kenny smiled a little, "You're not crazy. You just like adventure and applause."
"I'll text in the morning. Once I talk to Don. Get travel arranged."
He felt energized, full of ideas for a new storyline, "Awesome. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."
After they said goodbye and ended the call, Kenny realized he could not sleep. He picked up the remote to the television and began scrolling through the movies available. Like some sort of sign, If The Creek Don't Rise was the third choice of movies that could be rented.
"Oh, what the hell. Why not?"
He hit the button to confirm the rental and propped himself up with pillows as the movie began to play.
The morning had flown by for Scout. Don assured her she didn't have to jump on every opportunity that presented itself, but she made sure she knew that she was doing this for herself. Testing boundaries and having an adventure to help foster her creativity.
Tony Kahn was delighted with the news, telling her to get packed and he would be sending her travel information and an itinerary for her time on the road.
Scout had no idea what to pack. Obviously winter clothes because the first stop was going to be Chicago in November and was assuming they would have ideas of what they wanted her to wear on camera.
On the road. On camera.
Things she never thought would happened when she published her little book four years ago.
And she never in a million years thought she would run off to join the professional wrestling circus.
She packed jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, pajamas, underwear and one nice dress. Boots, a pair of Nikes and a pair of pumps. Scout readied her laptop, her kindle and three advanced book copies other authors asked her to write blurbs for publication.
When she received the travel info, she saw she was booked on a late afternoon flight from Norfolk International to Chicago O'Hare. Scout dressed in leggings and her favorite UVA hoodie with her hair down. She didn't bother with her contacts that she had already packed, so she wore her glasses.
She looked like a college kid at first glance, but she was comfortable.
On the way out of her house, Scout grabbed her black puffer coat and scarf, fearing what the weather would be like when they landed.
After checking in and getting past security, she bought a giant cup of coffee and secretly signed copies of her book that she found at the newsstand. Scout had heard that some authors did that and adopted it as her own tradition.
As she walked the concourse to her departure gate, she called her brother to tell him what she had decided.
Jeremy laughed, "You don't know what to do with yourself at home anymore, do you?"
Scout put down her carry on bag and one of the books she brought and sat down in the waiting area, "I really don't. I do love home. It's just so…"
"Boring?"
While she hated to use that word in regards to where her brother and nephew lived, it was true. She decided to switch up the direction of the conversation, "Tell Trenton I'm gonna get him all the cool swag and send it home."
"He's seriously so amped that you know Kenny Omega."
Scout reflected on that and her stomach dropped; she didn't know him almost at all. She did some internet research on him last night and knew enough to know he was insanely popular in wrestling circles and that he had spent a lot of time in Japan.
A flash of panic spread across her chest, realizing just how crazy this all was…how little she knew any of these people or the business.
But she hadn't known the book business or the movie business either, and had done just fine.
Her brother broke her from her reverie when he said, "Someone on Twitter called your all's interaction last night 'The eye fucks to end all eye fucks'."
Scout almost dropped her coffee, "It was just acting."
"Sure, kid. His shirtless abs had nothing to do with it."
Scout felt herself burn pink and as if he knew he was being talked about, she saw Kenny walking toward her with his own cup of coffee. She gave a little wave and said, "Hey Jem, I gotta go. I'll text when I get to Chicago. Tell Trent I'll FaceTime him."
She rarely used the nickname for her brother, but she heard him chuckle on the other end of the line and said goodbye.
Kenny sat beside her, an amused look on his face, "I almost didn't recognize you. You're like Clark Kent right now."
Scout remembered she had on zero make up and her glasses on. It was more than a fair estimation.
"I had no idea what to pack."
He took a pull of his coffee and shook his head, "Don't worry. We'll work with creative to get some ideas. I have a few that might work and will need your input on. We can get you whatever you need."
Scout was immediately curious, but pushed it aside, "I really think before we talk shop, maybe we should get to know each other on a basic human level and not from Googling? I realized while I was just sitting here that I don't know you, yet you're luring me away. How do I know you're not going to steal my kidney and leave me in a bathtub full of ice at a Motel 6?"
Kenny laughed, a small smile playing at his lips, "That's oddly specific."
She shook her head with a smile and shrugged, "It's just happening so fast."
Before they could continue, Scout was approached by an older woman and her daughter, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, "I'm sorry…Ms. Coopersmith? My daughter and I are big fans."
Scout turned and stood up, and shook their hands and chatted for few moments before they asked if they can get a photo. She smiled and said, "Sure."
Kenny stood and offered to take the picture for them, and Scout thought it said a lot about the kind of person he was. After a series of snaps with the daughters phone, they said their good byes.
Scout sat back down and smiled, "Thanks for that. Where were we?"
He nodded, "Something about a kidney and a bathtub full of ice?"
"Ah yes. I don't think that actually is going to happen. It's hyperbole, but I am signing on for this and I feel like we should have at least a friendly conversation or something."
He paused and looked thoughtful, "Your name. It's a mouthful."
Scout raised an eyebrow, "Uhhh…yeah? My dad was a big fan of To Kill A Mockingbird. It's where Jeremy's name and nickname comes from, too. Both of us are just happy to not be saddled with Dill or Boo or Atticus. It's even worse with my middle name, Louise."
Kenny chuckled and they fell into a easy conversation about their formative years, what they liked to do in their free time and then he mentioned he watched her movie in the hotel room.
"Oh really? What did you think?"
He nodded, "It was very good. Not usually what I gravitate to. But the general vibe matches up with what little I know about you. Warm. Funny…I also saw photos of you at the Oscars. I was surprised."
"Yeah. Everyone was shoving these giant dresses and slinky outfits at me. I'm not…the most feminine woman in the world. I have aversions to dresses. And then there was the breakup and my ex was being ridiculous. He's jealous, but didn't get that way until I had become a little famous. They linked me with everyone in the press. I've been messing with them ever since…speaking of, I hope you're ready because we're gonna be all over the place. My brother already told me about what he saw on Twitter."
Kenny laughed, "I'm always rumored to be dating someone…it's fine. It will be good for the storyline. Kayfabe."
Scout had no idea what that word meant, "Kayfabe?"
"Yeah, making things look real for the storyline. Blurring the lines."
She couldn't hold her curiosity back any longer, "Alright. The storyline. What do you have in mind? Please tell me it's better than just some sort of romance plot."
He straightened and smiled, "I think it's better than that. You come back to work with Brandi, blending in real life a bit. After our initial encounter we are both curious about each other. Since I'm a heel right now, you'll start off as yourself…Scout. But soon you'll be a valet…but more of an acolyte or a proxy, helping me play dirty sometimes. Eventually, I'd like to make you the boss, maybe have you manage a few wrestlers. Flip the roles. I think you should wear suits and maybe change your hair."
Scout took in the information and finished off her coffee, "I like the idea of being an agent of chaos. And being the boss to a gaggle of large men. Here I was worried I was going to have to come out in something skimpy."
A sly smile washed across his face, "I mean, we should start out with cute, girl next door Scout. People like that about you. It's part of your appeal. But you can turn heel and still be hot without wearing anything skimpy."
Scout felt relieved, but at the same time worried if she could pull any of it off. She considered herself a lot of things…hot wasn't one of them. She didn't know if she had the confidence.
But part of her was flattered that he thought she could be.
Just when Scout was going to reply, their flight to Chicago was announced for boarding.
As she picked up her tote bag and paperback and followed him through the gate, Scout realized that there was no turning back.
A/N: Thank you if you are still reading this :) I would love to hear what you think. Drop me a line if you'd like ;)
