The last Raw before Wrestlemania was half over and had ran so smoothly that my mind had time to wander. Randy being in my line of vision at all times did not help at all. There was so much work to be done behind the scenes that I found myself bumping into him carrying items or running to fix something everytime I turned a corner.
He did not speak to me. He averted his eyes each time, but I would catch him standing idol and staring from a distance until I gazed his way. I felt horrible for the way I had walked out on his proposal and I could not understand why. Didn't I have the right to turn him away? Yet, my heart cried for him. It ached for him and I laid awake at night missing him and forbade myself to pick up the phone and call him even though I desperately wanted to.
To me, giving in to him at that moment would be enabling him to continue using. I had to stand my ground.
"Abbi we got a problem with pyro number five." one of the technicians ran into the room and I had never been so happy to have something to occupy my mind in all my career.
"Okay no problem." I said not getting excited. It hadn't been the first time that set had been difficult since I had begun helping with the production. "When do we need it to work?"
"Next. It was set up for Kofi's entrance."
"They're totally fried." Randy, told me the second I climbed under the stage. The pyro techniques were set up under the stage and set off from a small booth just beside it. Man I couldn't get the man out of my head for a second without being reminded of him. I took off my head set and followed him out.
"Whose pyro's are similar to Kofi's?" I said thinking quick.
"No one's that's set up." Randy told me and for that moment he was my co-worker and I don't believe either of us was thinking about the intimate moments we had shared.
"Okay, let me think." I had no clue what to do. "How quickly can you switch out the canisters?"
"Five minutes?"
"Shit we don't have the time to loose on this match." I said out loud. "Forget the pyro's." I said. "Just run the rest of the shows as best you can and get those replaced."
"Yes Maam." He grinned cunningly and I rolled my eyes, but I could not stop my own smile. I took the head set from his head and put it on my own.
"Nick, we got a problem." I told the man who ran the music. "Kofi's pyro's are out so we got to improvise. "Someone get Kofi and Sheamus and 3MB a head set quickly." I said knowing everyone with a set could hear me.
"Ya." a moment later I heard Sheamus's voice.
"Sheamus."
"Hey baby doll." he kidded me and I glanced at Randy who I knew had over heard the headset and he wasn't happy even he should know better than anyone that there was nothing going on between me and the Celtic Warrior.
"we don't have time to be funny." I said with a big smile on my face. "Kofi's pyro's are down so I need you two to go out first instead of Drew and his partner." Kofi and Sheamus were set to compete for the tag team belts against the recent unstoppable duo of Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater. " I need 3MB to interrupt Kofi's entrance before the pyro's are set to go off, so you will enter first, then Kofi. Nick are we set for the change?"
"It's a go Abbi. Thirty seconds."
"Thanks Nick. Drew you guys got it."
"Yes." Drew said but I could tell he didn't like it.
"Let's party." Sheamus then let out a loud howl and again I smiled. He always got so fired up before going out on stage. I stood to the side of the stage next to the pyro booth and watched as they came out on stage. Sheamus pointed my way and winked when he saw me. I gave him a small wave. I was unsure what Drew was going to do to improvise the change but I hoped he didn't go overboard and blow the plans we had for the match.
"Whoa, wait a minute." Drew said coming out with a microphone even though it was usually Heath that did most of the talking for their team. "I am the chosen one." he began. "I am the one who should come out first not this has been." Matt raised an eyebrow. "You follow me. Now let's see if this under developed staff can get it right." Matt shook his head and mouthed 'I'm not going back' because Drew was arguing with him to get in the back and make his entrance after him. Instead Matt got into the ring and waited as Drew's music played and he finally walked to the ring.
"Good cover Abbi" I heard Vince's voice in the head set.
"Vince? What are you doing here?"
"Did you really think I was going to miss Wrestlmania.
I laughed. "Is Teddy in position?" I went on with my job. The show was more important than worrying about Vince's opinion.
"Teddy's not here"
"What do you mean Teddy's not here?"
"I can't find him." Nick said from his post behind the stage where the superstars waited to go on.
I put my hand to my forehead. What else could go wrong with this show?
"Vince, can you go on if he doesn't show?" I thought that Vince's unexpected arrival would work to the show's advantage and I was suddenly happy that he was there.
"No can do Hun." Vince said. "I broke my leg on the slopes last week."
"Yes I know, but now would be a good time for a comeback." I laughed nervously."
"Nick get my music ready." Vince ordered. I thought Vince was going to go out but what he had in mind completely shocked me.
"Abbi you're going on."
"What? No, no Vince I'm just background."
"Not anymore. You're going to have to be front and center."
"Crap." I said hurrying to get backstage. I wanted to argue, but there was only time to just go along with his insanity. I looked in the full length mirror sitting near the stage entrance. The Makeup girl hurried to apply a quick layer to my face and I let my hair out of the tight ponytail I had it in.
"I don't look like anyone who belongs out there Vince." I complained.
"Well you got one minute." Vince laughed. I unbuttoned my blouse until the top of my cleavage showed slightly. I decided to leave my glasses on because I would have to read what ever was written on the teleprompter for me to say.
"Alright Abbi." Vince said in the microphone. They are in each other's faces and ….. Now they are going at it."
"Okay." I said. "Wait. Everyone's going to wonder who I am."
Vince laughed. "Nick play something more Abbi's style."
"But …" I argued.
"Just read the teleprompter." Vince ordered.
Nick said and winked. I had no clue what it would be. " headset." Nick demanded and then winked. "Okay go." I held my clipboard tight as a prop but to me it was a security blanket.
Hell on heels played. I had heard the song many times before, but I was hardly the gold digger it sung about. I raised my eyebrow at Nick.
Nick chuckled at his choice knowing that in a few lyrics he had helped to create my character. I looked at the screen. The TV. Showed everyone looking up confused by the strange song. I closed my eyes and told myself it was no different than karaoke and walked out with as much confidence as I could. The announcers and the men in the ring played along even though they knew who I was.
"Since the men in the ring can't seem to agree on anything. I have decided that before this rivalry gets out of hand that you two will settle it this Sunday at Wrestlemania." they all played their parts well by shouting toward me.
"Who are you?" what gives you the right to set a match" they looked angry but I knew they were just playing along as best they could. Well, at least Kofi and Sheamus were. I continued to read the teleprompter until Vince's music played. A write in I was not expecting and I was suddenly slightly upset that he had not just come out to fill the spot in the first place. I looked behind me and smiled as if I knew exactly what was going on, but I didn't.
"I can't believe it, it's Vince McMahon," The kind said excitedly. "But what we still don't know is who is this girl who has set this match between 3MB and the team of Sheamus and Kofi Kingston this Sunday at Wrestlemania?"
"You guys in the ring look a little confused." Vince began from my side. "Let me shred some light on the subject. May I introduce to the WWE universe? My daughter Raina McMahon."
"What? You have to be kidding me?" J.R. went on. "Vince has another daughter!"
"You see a while back I had a "small" indiscretion." Vince said with a conniving smile. "So in short, say hello to the new General Manager of Smackdown."
I smiled trying to look conniving and sinister. I wasn't sure if I could play the part I would now have to play. I had never planned on being part of the show. I already had so much to do in the background.
He nudged me to read on.
"But I don't believe a handicap match is fair so the team of Kofi and Sheamus will be joined by …"
"I hear voices in my head …." The crowd roared and jumped to their feet and Randy stood beside me, pulled me into his arms and kissed me for the entire world to see. Vince looked angry and I knew none of it was an act. Just as Randy's kiss hadn't been planned either.
