Post by Britney Anders on Apr 29, 2018 18:55:38 GMT -8
A loud sigh was heard as a man walked into the Hollywood hotel room, followed by a ‘thud’ as an overnight bag dropped on the floor.
“You can do this,” the voice said to himself, “Fix it, keep it professional.”
The man reached for the light, illuminating the entire room and revealing his identity - famed Baumer Report writer and Whirlwind Wrestling correspondent, Baldwin Knight himself. The room itself had all the trimmings, from the kingsized bed, giant television, mini-bar stocked to the gills with [over-priced] drinks and snacks, and plush carpeting you could just feel your toes sinking into.
“I can do this. Brid...Britney is just one tough customer. No one said journalism was an easy job, animosity is expected...but I am a professional, for my company, for my own ethics, I can do this.”
Just as he finished the thought, there was a knock at the door.
“That must be our guest of the evening…”
As Baldwin moved to answer the door, another round of knocking was heard, this one with more aggression and urgency.
“HELLO???”
The voice from the other side of the door echoed. The voice was familiar to Baldwin. Opening up the door, his thoughts were confirmed as Britney Anders looked him up and down with a sneer on her face.
Britney Anders: I can’t believe I agreed to this. It better be worth it.
Anders stepped into the lavish hotel room. The ‘Doll’ was every bit the part as she wore her sparkly dress and unique denim jacket over top. Expensive earrings dangled from her ears and her heels looked like they probably cost as much as it would cost to rent this hotel room for the night, or more!
Britney Anders: Baldwin…
Her voice was low, with a hint of annoyance sprinkled in. She sat her silver, glistening clutch down on the nearest table in the room and looked around, taking in her surroundings.
Britney Anders: YOu know, most normal people suggest a restaurant, or a public place for a meeting to ‘come to terms’ with each other, but then again...who ever said you were normal?
The last sentence was whispered quietly as the doll of CWD continued looking around the room.
Baldwin Knight: Yeah...I just thought that, maybe this wasn’t something to do publicly, you know? We clearly don’t like the other, but...and this isn’t just because I got fined earlier by Cassandra. But, well, I don’t like personal feelings getting in the way of business. When you came in my direct messages a few nights ago, I didn’t even like my hesitation to promote you then either. That’s not how I do business. But then, I hear your voice...I see your name, and it all...well, you know, I’m sure you’ve drawn the conclusions that I keep seeing you as the former Bridgett Tobias...and I’m not adding my name onto that because I have no idea why she’d keep it attached to her’s, when she left me. Look, I am tired of mixing the two of you together, and I just want to keep this with you and I as business, leave Bridgett and I to behind closed doors, and maybe even get you to stop fraternizing with her and egging her on. I can be civil if you can be?
With an exhausted yawn, he dropped down impactfully on a chair sat across from her.
Baldwin Knight: So, what do you say? Bury this axe, I plug your appearances, stop degrading you on social media, you stop poking fun and trying to goad me into kicking your bu -
Britney Anders: You can’t kick my butt. I had to stop you there.
Anders glared over at Baldwin and thought about sitting down herself, but opted to continue standing, maybe hinting that this meeting could be a short one.
Britney Anders: I think it would benefit the both of us to work together. Think about how many more hits your blogs or whatever you do would get, if you covered me? And I’m not naive, Cassandra Baumer is a very recognizable name, as is her Baumer Report. Coverage in that is essential for me, because it introduces me to an entire new audience, potentially. To put it in simple terms for someone simple like you? Post my pictures. Interview me. Cover the stories and trends that surround me.
She turned her head to look at the door.
Britney Anders: Well, that was productive but I think it’s time to go!
Anders was clearly in a hurry to get out. She turned on her heels and started marching towards the door
Baldwin Knight: Waitaminute, what’s the rush? This can’t just be about me trying to apologize and then you ask for coverage. No, no, no, that’s not how this works. You and I, we fight, it’s true but you know what else is true?
He lifted his hands to shrug at her.
Baldwin Knight: It takes two to tango. It’s equally our fault for getting at the other, and letting the other hold this power over us. We irritate the other and only escalate the situation. And, since I’m here to de-escalate my end...I think you need to do the same too. Otherwise...what’s the purpose of this meeting? Compromise is a two-way street.
For a man that wasn’t exactly thrilled to be in the same room as the stark similarity to his ex-fiance, he sure had an elaborately drawn out way with words. You couldn’t really argue with his points though...although if anyone could, it’d be Britney most likely. Anders crossed her arms and huffed a bit.
Britney Anders: Truthfully we both know you poke at me, over and over and over and over and over and over and ov-
Baldwin Knight: I get it.
Britney Anders: But you do. If I lose a match, you throw it in my face. I don’t see you doing that to anyone else who loses. It’s like because of the whole Bridgett thing, you have this weird obsession with me. But I can work with you.
‘Anything to get out of this room’, she thought to herself.
Britney Anders: I won’t bring her up, I won’t involve myself in your personal matters, as long as you treat me exactly how you treat anyone else you cover. Deal?
Britney took a few steps forward and extended her hand.
Baldwin watched her carefully. She seemed anxious, yet he found it amusing that she was doing nothing to even claim a hint of responsibility in their disgraceful bickering over media.
Baldwin Knight: Let me ask you something, Bridg--Britney. Did you come just because you expect people to grovel at your feet? You know that there’s literally hundreds or more ‘divas’ like that all over this industry and you...while a snowflake, are not special in that sense? So sit down, help yourself to the mini-bar, have a drink and let’s talk like adults in a grown up manner.
He motioned to the chair across from him.
Baldwin Knight: After this is fully hashed out, I don’t want there to be any issues with us in any way, shape, or form. So if you got it on your mind, now is the chance to get it off your chest behind closed doors. Scream at me. Let me shout at you. Then when it’s settled, you know? Then when it’s handled, I’ll have no problem tweeting you, sharing your stuff, even offering proactive interviews to cover your latest antics and accolades.
The two seemed to be in wildly different hemispheres all things considered. Reluctantly, Britney sat in the chair, crossing her arms yet again with a pout on her face.
Britney Anders: Get me something from the mini-bar.
No ‘please, no questioning, demanding was the tone as she kicked her leg back and forth as they crossed.
Baldwin Knight: You have a preference in beverage? Not that he didn’t sense her not-caring tone, but the least he could do was be cordial on his end. I mean this stuff is kinda expensive and I did just get hit with a hefty fine after all.
He hoped she hadn’t seen the exchange earlier where Whirlwind’s own Sam Tolson offered to foot the bill on that.
Baldwin Knight: Okay I’ll start; alcoholic or non? Feel free to indulge, I’ll make Baumer Report foot your Uber cost if you do.
Britney Anders: Well I’m here with you, so I definitely think alcoholic is the way to go. Surprise me.
She immediately threw up both hands in protest.
Britney Anders: Not, like, surprise, surprise me...but, you choose. I guess this is the first step towards tolerating each other. Trust. So go ahead, make me something.
Anders looked back towards the table where her clutch and phone was at, but didn’t feel like getting up, so she turned her attention back to the walls of the hotel room.
Baldwin reached into the mini-bar and took out a couple of bottles, mixing the two together to create an orange-tinted cocktail. From the color, you’d think it was a Screwdriver, based on the orange tint. He turned and brought the martini glass to her.
Baldwin Knight: This should take the edge off. Enjoy. Maybe I should have one myself, but...I suppose I am on business here. So I’ll pass.
He waited to see if she had any interest in the drink.
Britney Anders: Make one for yourself. You said it yourself, it’s better to get everything in the open and get over it. Nothing takes the edge off like an alcoholic beverage.
Britney, slowly, brought the glass to her lips and tilted it slightly, taking in a very small sip from the drink. Baldwin meanwhile returns to the fridge to make his own.
Britney Anders: No idea what this is, but it isn’t terrible. So far, you’re a better mixologist than reporter.
Anders takes another drink, this one bigger, enjoying the beverage.
Britney Anders: My biggest problem with you, since we’re putting it all out there, is that you treat me differently. Literally, that’s my issue. I know it’s because I remind you of Bridgett, but as you can see, I’m CLEARLY prettier, and she has a whinier voice.
Baldwin just clinged a spoon against his glass as he spun back around, his glass bigger, his drink much. Darker. It was what looked to be a rum and coke, with a heavier emphasis on the rum part. He took a large sip as he sat down, eyes focusing onto Britney.
Baldwin Knight: Okay, okay, good we’re getting somewhere. That’s great. I’m gonna ignore what you said about Bridgett, because quite frankly...you’re right, she’s loud, obnoxious, and maybe not quite cute enough to overwhelm those other traits. Maybe (for those unaware, the infamous Bridgett’s pic base is Leighton Meester, circa Blair Waldorf of the CW’s hit “Gossip Girl”. Just to help you paint that picture). You know why I’m always on you though? If you wanna get real with it…
He grips the dark drink and takes another long drink.
Baldwin Knight: It’s because you talk and talk and talk, your mouth stays open like a Seven-Eleven...but you have NO RESULTS to back that up. It’s just hot air. Your lips move, but nothing that isn’t regurgitated crap ever comes out of it! And then you get called on it, bat your little eyes, and keep on doing it. You act like you’re this next big hit...and then you drop down like the water in my toilet bowl.
Baldwin places the glass on the table, this time a little heavier than before.
Britney Anders: Okay, now we’re getting honest I see. Do you want to know where the results are?
Britney pointed to her earrings and then her shoes.
Britney Anders: I wouldn’t make the money I make if my bosses saw nothing in me. Do I win every match? No, I don’t. I probably have a lot to learn still when it comes to competing in the ring, but I bring eyes to the product, and that, Baldwin, makes me a success. You literally were about to hinder your own reports by keeping me off of them, you know that, right?
Britney took another, larger drink and as Baldwin attempted to reply, she quickly cut him off.
Britney Anders: And you have this thing where you think you’re smarter than everyone. Newsflash, Baldy boy, you really aren’t. If you were, you probably would be doing something to make more money, to be the one that people like you report on. Understand?
Britney, in an attempt to one up Baldwin, finished her drink and then slammed it down on the table even harder than he did moments earlier.
Baldwin Knight: You know, I make good money doing what I do. I report for a nationally acclaimed news agency, I work in an on-screen role with a Pay-Per-View broadcast wrestling company, and I do it all without getting hit. You can fight for television exposure and your ratings...I’m getting paid because of how I handle a microphone.
He picked up the glass, and downed the rest of his Rum and Coke, mostly Rum, then slamming the glass down and shaking the table in between the two of them.
Baldwin Knight: And another thing, don’t tell me how I do my job, when you yourself by your own admission, ‘are still learning’ your’s! That’s the definition of contradictory process. Am I the smartest person ever? No, surely not. There’s always gonna be someone better.
She interrupted him with a sassy tone in her voice.
Britney Anders: Me. Continue.
Baldwin Knight: ahem. But lem’me tell you a secret.
He leaned in, his voice raising as he grew closer rather than quieter like if he were delivering a secret.
Baldwin Knight: I’m always gonna be smarter than you. Why? Because my career has taken off like a rocket, my career is the epitome of an Indianapolis Colts’ football game; flawless defense. Your career is the epitome of the scrub with one successful snap.
Baldwin leaned back in his chair, how much of that was the Rum talking, and how much was the truth, that was the real question.
Britney Anders: Another shot at my ONE WIN. Masked brilliantly...NOT!
Britney had enough as she stood from the chair.
Britney Anders: You don’t get to talk down to me. One day, I’ll win match after match, championship after championship, and as you sit on the sidelines and report about it, I’ll CONSIDER giving you a comment, but you’re going to need to do a lot of groveling and begging first, because you just ruined it. Idiot.
Anders turned around and looked for her phone, but it was no longer where she sat it.
Britney Anders: Hey! You took my phone when you made the drinks, didn’t you? Where did you hide it? I KNOW you want me to stay here all night, but honestly, I’ve had enough of you, and just the sight of your face is giving me the urge to lose my dinner, so, yeah, where is it?
It was clear that this was going to be a long night, and despite getting the truth out in the open, the cordial comments only lasted a few moments. Will these two ever be able to work together, professionally? Only time will tell...
(To be continued...)
