Learning Curves

one.

AUDREY knocked timidly on the door, straightening the hem of the shirt she'd been worrying for the last twenty minutes prior to this moment. As a twenty six year old reporter at the same paper she'd learned to read with as a child, the magnitude of this particular job interview was overwhelming to a point.

"Come in." A man's voice called from the other side of the door. A voice she'd come to know within the past few days, a couple of phone calls to set today's meeting up. Opening the door, his office was warm and friendly, photos on the shelf behind him, pictures of his family; a wife, three daughters, and a Scooby Doo sized dog.

"You must be Audrey. I'm sorry. Your last name escaped me." he chuckled nervously, rubbing his thumb nervously against his pointer finger.

"Collins. Audrey Collins, Mister-uh,"

"Hunter. It's just easier that way, what with stage names and real names and all." Audrey flushed. Of course it was. She'd done her research on him, just like any good reporter would. He was Paul Levesque, one of the executives of the WWE, married to Stephanie McMahon, who was the reason she was here in the first place.

xxx

It had all been a blur. Audrey was supposed to meet Stephanie over lunch one Saturday afternoon, a chance to talk about their flagship show, Monday Night RAW, being one of the first events in the town's newly built arena. Audrey had seen the show, off and on, but not regularly. Stephanie was impressive, even in just jeans and a Patriots tee shirt, her hair in barely there waves. They laughed over sandwiches, Stephanie telling Audrey stories about growing up in the business. It never occurred to Audrey that Stephanie might find her remarkable as well, cause she never thought that of herself. A tough over five feet, dark brown hair held back by a beanie that afternoon, and big green eyes.

"You know, we're actually looking for a new backstage commentator. Renee moved up to the main roster, and that left a spot on our developmental roster in Florida." Stephanie hinted, causing Audrey to sit up a little bit straighter.

"Never actually thought about being in front of the camera like that." A business card was slid her way, as Stephanie stood to leave.

"You should."

xxx

The conversation stuck with her those next couple of days, and by the time she sent in her report, she knew it would be the last one there, already dreaming of what Florida would be like. It was two weeks of phone interviews and trip arrangements, but she was finally here.

"As I'm sure you've heard, NXT is where dreams begin, or in your case, continue and thrive. When Stephanie called me that afternoon and said she'd been blown away by a small town newspaper reporter, I wasn't so sure. It was you that changed my mind, Audrey. You are charming, smart, witty, clever..ah, look at me, sounding more like I'm asking you out instead of offering you a job." Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, clearing his throat, pushing the contract towards Audrey.

"I can't promise that every day will be a great one. This is a learning facility, and there are a lot of hot heads on this roster. There are a lot of good ones though, and travelling opportunities, as well as chances to move up to the main roster one day, if that's what you want."

"You'll be one of our backstage reporters, teaming with Devin Taylor. We are changing your on camera name just a little bit. How would you feel by using your middle name as your surname?" Audrey raised an eyebrow at his question. He couldn't remember her last name just minutes ago, how did he know her middle name?

"You're not the only one with great sleuthing skills, Reporter Girl." Hunter teased, tapping on his shut laptop. Of course.

"Audrey Quinn. Sounds a lot like Harley Quinn, without the Joker." she giggled, brushing her fingers across the name on the paper in front of her.

"There's plenty of those around here, don't worry about that."

"I can deal with being a Quinn instead of a Collins. Anything else I need to know?" she asked, taking the black pen from Hunter like it was a prized trophy instead of just a writing utensil.

"Just be careful out there. Though we're in the same business, not everyone has the same mindset. Some are here to fulfill a lifelong dream. Some are coming back from injury, wondering if they'll ever get back to that dream. Others still are too big headed to realize that they are not God's gift to professional wrestling to realize their true potentials."

Audrey signed her name, watching the ink soak into the paper, shaking Hunter's hand. She was officially Audrey Quinn, NXT reporter.