"Rumours are spreading, honey," Jay said. He and Erin were in an SUV that had been waiting for them at the airport. Their driver had made good time, and they were almost at the arena. Jay was browsing Twitter on his phone, and had apparently discovered that people were already talking about Hank being out, and Erin being in, at the top of WWE.
The news unofficially breaking before she had a chance to tell the talent hadn't been what Erin had wanted. Now she was going to have to roll with the punches. She had a feeling she would be doing that quite a bit in the coming days and weeks.
She groaned in frustration. "So there's no telling what we're about to walk into."
"Hey," Jay said, putting a hand on her cheek and gently kissing her on the lips. "Whatever happens, you'll deal with it. It'll all work out just fine. If you need me to do anything to help, just ask."
"Thank you. As always, I couldn't do this without you."
"You could. But you don't have to. Love you."
"I love you, Jay."
The car drove past a small group of fans who had gathered at the top of the ramp leading to the arena's parking lot. Moments later, the driver parked up near the entrance to the building, got out and opened Erin's door for her.
"Thank you," Erin said, stepping out as Jay got out on the other side of the car. She had a briefcase with her, containing a few things that she expected to need in her office.
"Ma'am," the driver said politely. "Would you like me to bring your cases inside for you?"
"No, thank you. There's nothing in there I'm going to need until we go to the hotel."
The driver nodded respectfully. Erin was joined by Jay, and they made their way into the arena. It didn't take her long to notice that the numerous backstage crew members and the few wrestlers they encountered on their way to her office were already acting differently around her. There was more deference about them, and some unease from the wrestlers. They were no doubt wondering what kind of boss she was going to be, what direction the company would go in, and what it would mean for their careers. Those were understandable concerns. To try and put people at ease, she planned to have everyone on the roster assemble in a conference room so that she could address them.
Reaching her office, Erin walked in and found her personal assistant there waiting for her. A pretty, dark haired woman in her mid thirties by the name of Clara Strong, which Erin had always thought wouldn't have been a bad name for a wrestler, Clara had worked for Erin for the past several months. As of today, she was going to be with Erin at every WWE event she attended, as well as back at the office. Clara carried an iPad with her at all times, for note taking and accessing any documents that Erin might need, often from the creative team until today. Now, she was going to be a lot busier.
"Ms Voight," Clara said politely, well aware that Erin didn't like being referred to as ma'am. "Mr Halstead."
"Clara, how are you?" Erin asked.
"Hi," Jay added.
"I'm well, thank you. How are you?"
"Good," Erin said. "The first person I'd like you go and send for is Kelly Severide. Have him come see me straight away. Leave me with him, I won't need any notes taking. Why don't you grab us coffee, too?"
"Will do," Clara said, and with that she made her way out of the room, presenting Erin with what was likely to be her last moment of privacy with Jay until after the show later in the night.
"Severide?" Jay asked, wondering why speaking to the former wrestler and current commentator was her first order of business.
Erin took off the scarf she had been wearing, followed by her customary leather gloves. She put them on her desk. Her briefcase had already been set down on the floor beside the desk. "He's my first choice for Head of Talent Relations. As you know, I'm firing Kelton's ass tomorrow. Him going should make everyone happier, and will hopefully mean Clementine will sign a new contract. It'll be a weight off my shoulders when I've got that pen to paper, assuming I get it."
"Clem will sign," Jay assured her. "I'd better get out of your hair before Severide shows up. Is there anything you need me to do?"
Taking a moment to think about it, Erin nodded. "Yeah. Hang out in the locker room with the guys and gauge the mood. If possible, try to help with getting everyone to feel positive about me taking over. And if there's anyone who seems to have big problems, let me know."
"Okay, will do. Good luck, and try to enjoy it. This is your place to run now." Jay gave her another kiss.
"Thank you. I will."
There was a knock on the door, and Kelly Severide opened it. People already knew that was the correct protocol for entering her office from her time as Head of Creative.
"You asked to see me?" Severide said. "I can wait outside if needed?"
"You're fine, I'm just leaving," Jay said. The two men shook hands, and Jay left.
"Have a seat, Kelly," Erin said as she sat down behind her desk.
Severide had never been a man to lack confidence, but he had always been polite to Erin. He showed both of those traits right away. "A lot of rumours flying around. Hank's not here. I'm thinking I should offer congratulations. I'm the first person you called in here though? That's the part that has me most intrigued."
"I'm not sure what the rumours are online or in the locker room, but they're likely pretty accurate. At some point today, not long at all from now actually, my dad will be announcing his retirement from WWE. I'll be taking over as Chairwoman, officially from tomorrow. In reality, it's as of now."
"Damn. Sucks to lose Hank. I've got a lot of time for him. He always treated me with nothing but respect. Congratulations though, Erin. I know you'll do a good job."
"Thank you. Now, the reason you're here. My first order of business tomorrow will be to fire Brian Kelton. I've heard nothing but bad things about how he handles talent, so I've decided a change is needed."
"Doubt you'll get many complaints about that one," Severide said dryly. He too was not a Kelton fan, apparently.
"No, I don't think I will. What I will need to get is a new Head of Talent Relations. I want someone who actually knows the business, knows how wrestlers' minds work, and knows how to treat people like people instead of like numbers on a spreadsheet. I've also decided that it has to be someone who is respected by those on the roster. Kelly, I want you to take it on."
"Me?" he asked, as if he hadn't already figured out where she had been heading. "I'd have to think about that. Commentary is already a lot of work, with all the preparation that goes into it."
"You'll receive the same wage Kelton makes, and you'll be given a separate contract."
Severide thought about it for a few moments. "The challenge does appeal. Am I genuinely the first person you've asked?"
Wrestlers, even ex-ones, had egos. All of them. Severide's needed massaging a bit. "Yes," she assured him. "You were my first choice, and you're the only one I've spoken to. I'd like not to have to speak to anyone else, but I do need someone to agree to take the job today so that they can take over from Kelton tomorrow. And I need that person to want to do the job for the right reasons." She proceeded to tell him how much money was on offer.
"Out of interest, why are you paying me the same as Kelton when I've never done that job before?"
"Because you'll be doing the same work, and I'm confident you'll be doing it to a better standard. I believe in paying people who do good work for me fairly."
He nodded slowly. "I like the way you deal with people, Erin. You talk straight, and you deal fairly, as you said. This place really could change for the better with you in charge. Alright, it's a bit impulsive, but I'll take the job. A bit of advice, if I may?"
"Of course," Erin said openly.
"Don't wait until tomorrow. Call Kelton right now and fire him. That way I can take over tonight and start helping you straight away. You might need it tonight. There's bound to be a few people who cop an attitude or try to push their luck. These are wrestlers we're talking about."
That made sense to Erin. She looked at her watch. "My dad will be tweeting out his retirement announcement any time now. One he's done that, I'll call Kelton and fire him. While we wait for that to happen, I want you to send Clem in here. Then find a conference room and have the crew fill it with chairs. I want everyone on the roster assembled there in half an hour. I'll address them and fill them in on what's going on, including your new role."
"I'm on it. Thanks, boss."
Erin nodded. "Let's do good things together. I want us to make this a more professionally run company, but also one where everybody feels happy coming to work. That's the vision I've got. There should be no reason why that's not possible. And it's the best way to get the company profits up too. Everyone works better when they're happy."
"I'll do my best to help you achieve it."
"Good." Erin offered her hand, and Severide shook it. "Send Clem in, please."
"Will do," he said as he got up to leave.
Once the door closed behind him, Erin closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "Okay, I can do this," she told herself quietly. Her first meeting in charge had gone very well, and her confidence was building. The second meeting was going to be even more important. WWE simply could not lose Clementine, and managing to re-sign her would rightly be seen as a massive achievement on Erin's part, given that Clem's intention to leave had been leaked to the public by that idiot Kelton. As yet though, the deal was not signed.
"Well, here goes," Erin said. Reaching down and picking up her briefcase. Inside, there was a contract with Clementine's name on it, incorporating all of the terms that Erin had previously offered her. All it needed was a signature.
"Let's get this done," she said, trying to feel confident.
A/N: So far so good for Erin on her first day in charge. She has a new Head of Talent Relations. But will she be able to finally get Clem to sign a contract? And how will the roster react to the news that she is now their boss?
