Promises In Crinoline

"You can't bloody well do this. You have no right."

"I can and have. In case you've forgotten, I'm the General Manager. And
you'd do well to remember that or you might find yourself out of the job."

"Then who would support Eugene?"

Eric's jaw ticked, but he said nothing.

"That boy has beden training for this match for weeks. You cannot just take
it away from him. You have no reason."

"I'm trying to protect my nephew," Eric hissed. "You know Benoit just as
well as I do. Friend or no, he'll give it his all. He will do anything to
win and that includes hurting my nephew. You might be taking care of him,
but he's a part of my family. And we've suffered enou--" He cut himself
off, his cheeks flushing with anger. "I don't have to justify myself to
you."

"But you do to him." Regal countered. "He's been looking forward to this
match for weeks now and you've just snatched it away. The least you can do
is give him an explanation."

"No," Eric replied. "He wouldn't understand."

"You don't give the boy nearly enough credit," Regal retorted. "He would
understand. And I think you would find him more than capable of defending
himself against Benoit."

Eric was silent again. And silent for so long that William uttered an
exasperated sigh, turning around to leave.

He'd just put one foot out the door when Bischoff spoke again.

"I'll think about it."

William nodded and left. But it was only back in the training area that he
realized he wasn't certain what exactly Bischoff would be considering.


Go On