March 2025 - Interlude 001 - The New Commissioner

 Interlude: The Commissioner's Office

[Scene: Inside the NPCW Commissioner's Office. The room is dimly lit, with a crackling fire casting shadows across the wood-paneled walls. A massive desk covered in piles of contracts, memos, and quills dominates the room. Behind it sits Ebenezer Scrooge, pouring over a stack of papers, his expression one of irritation. Commissioner Robert "Bob" Cratchit stands nervously beside him, shifting from foot to foot.]

Scrooge and Commissioner Cratchit

Cratchit (stammering): Yes, Mr. Scrooge, that’s what I’m saying. Bernard had all these contracts approved on Sunday before he was... ahem... removed. So, they are valid.

Scrooge (gruffly): Bah, humbug! There must be a way to nullify them! He slams the stack of papers onto the desk. Where is that blasted girl? MS. SWEETINS! Girl, get in here NOW!

[The door creaks open, and Ms. Sweetins, the poised and impeccably dressed assistant to the Commissioner, enters the room calmly. Her expression is serene as she focuses her attention on Cratchit.]

Ms. Sweetins

Ms. Sweetins (in a calm, melodious tone): Mr. Commissioner, how may I assist you?

Scrooge (glaring): I know you were close to Bernard. Will that be a problem, now that he’s gone?

Ms. Sweetins (smiling faintly): Mr. Scrooge, I am the assistant to the NPCW Commissioner. My loyalties lie with the office of the Commissioner, regardless of who holds the title. I am committed to ensuring the office—and, in turn, NPCW—runs smoothly.

[Scrooge leans back in his chair, his lips curling into an amused yet skeptical smirk.]

Scrooge (mocking): Hmm, very dutiful of you. He waves a contract in her direction. These contracts—what do you know of them?

Ms. Sweetins (without hesitation): They include new talent signings and extension agreements for existing talent, all of which were signed off by former Commissioner Bernard before his removal. As his assistant, I ensured they were processed with the main KBL Fantasy Wrestling office by end of day. Therefore, they are fully sanctioned and enforceable.

[Scrooge's face darkens as he snatches up another paper from the desk and thrusts it toward Ms. Sweetins.]

Scrooge (pointing at the document): And this one? The camera briefly catches a royal seal near the signatures. Is it normal practice to sign contracts so far in advance?

Ms. Sweetins (examining the document): While it is not common, it is not unheard of. There were extenuating circumstances in this case that required the start date to be pushed out.

Scrooge: What if we wanted to cancel the contract?

Ms. Sweetins (matter-of-fact): Based on KBL Fantasy Wrestling regulations, you cannot cancel a contract without justifiable cause.

Scrooge (grumbling): Meh. That will be all, girl. You may leave.

[Ms. Sweetins hands the contract back to Scrooge, her face unreadable. As she reaches the door, she pauses and turns to address Cratchit.]

Ms. Sweetins: A reminder, Commissioner, the finalization of the NPCW Madness Supercard is due by the end of the week. I will be at my desk if you need further assistance.

[She exits, closing the door softly behind her. Scrooge scowls at her departure before picking up the phone. The camera zooms in on his scrawny, bony hand gripping the receiver as he dials a number.]

Scrooge (into the phone): Hello, Count. I think I’ll be taking you up on that offer. Let me know who is available from HCW, regardless of the cost.

[He listens intently, his expression slowly shifting from frustration to sinister satisfaction.]

Scrooge (continuing): Very good. We’ll meet in a few weeks to finalize the agreements.

[He hangs up the phone and leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers and rubbing them together with a sly grin.]

Scrooge (to himself): This will be a time to remember... His soft chuckle grows into a malevolent laugh as the scene fades to black.