Problem Solver.

Los Angeles, California
Tuesday, 3rd May 2011
2:09pm

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Tick...tick...tick...

I check my watch again, growing more and more frustrated by the second. I
mean, who arranges a meeting, and then is fucking late? That's
certainly not the best way to get on my good side. I look around the
room, the plush carpet, the comfy sofas, the skyline view of Los
Angeles, this office belongs to someone rich, someone powerful, yet he
can't be on time for a meeting he arranged?

I ponder getting up
and walking out, right until the door bursts open, just as I was getting
to my feet. In steps the man who called me on the phone, a guy called
Chuck Matthews. He's dressed smartly, his blonde hair in perfect
position. This guy is the epitome of superstar, whilst me, dressed in
jeans and a tee, don't look quite as superstar-ish as Chuck.

Chuck Matthews
"Going somewhere Matt?"

Matt Rydell
"I was assuming that you weren't coming, seeing as you are ten minutes late."

Chuck Matthews
"Fashionable late. You assumed wrong. Please, take a seat. Whiskey?"

I check my watch again, and notice it's only 2:13. Bit early for whiskey, but each to their own.

Matt Rydell
"Nah, I'm good, thanks."

I watch as Chuck pours him a rather...generous...glass, before settling down on the sofa opposite.

Chuck Matthews
"Matt,
I'm not going to beat around the proverbial bush here, I'm going to be
straight and to the point. I need someone to give me a little hand with
something. I need...a problem solver.

A problem solver? Like what? Got a crack in your fancy wall mister hotshot? Need a wall painted? I ain't no handy man.

Chuck Matthews
"That
problem, is the very reason I brought you here today. You see, I have a
little conflict going on with a man called Bryant Tanner. He's becoming
a problem, a big one. And I need him dealt with, as soon as possible."

Matt Rydell
"So,
I'm the hired muscle, here to do your dirty work, and as soon as that
is done, I'm out on my ass. Sounds like a great deal there mate, but I
think I will...

Chuck holds his hand up for silence. I mean he really puts it right in front of my face, up in my grill so to speak.

Chuck Matthews
"You'll
be payed well for your time assisting me, and be guaranteed your place
on the roster afterwards. Look Matt, I know who you are, and I know what
you can do. I didn't randomly find you on the street and think, 'look,
random guy, he'll do!' You're here because I think you are the right man
for the job. You have two choices. You can accept my very generous
offer, shake my hand, and we'll discuss our future, or you can get up,
walk out that door, and know you just missed out on the opportunity of a
lifetime. You realize, I'm sure, just how much influence I have...I think siding with me would be a very intelligent thing to do. But it's your move, Rydell."

Chuck held his hand out towards
me, staring deep into my eyes. I glanced at the door, then back at his
hand. This was too good to miss. I grabbed his hand, shaking his hand
firmly. For the first time since we had sat down, a smile broke out onto
his face.

Chuck Matthews
"Wonderful. Well now Matt, lets discuss our plans, starting Sunday..."